Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-antagonist luteolysis during the preceding mid-luteal phase is a feasible protocol in ovarian hyperstimulation before in vitro fertilization.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to investigate whether a high dose of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist during the preceding luteal phase yields satisfactory luteolysis and downregulation prior to ovarian hyperstimulation in an in vitro fertilization program.
METHODS: The treatment protocol was designed as a prospective pilot study in IVF units at two university hospitals. Fifty-one patients with documented poor or normal response to ovarian stimulation underwent 57 treatment cycles. Treatment consisted of 3 mg gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (cetrorelix) given during the preceding mid-luteal phase as gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-receptor inhibition before ovarian stimulation with follicle-stimulating hormone.
RESULTS: All women experienced menstrual bleeding within 2-3 days after the injection of 3 mg cetrorelix. Follicle hormone stimulation could subsequently commence in all cycles. All but three patients developed growing follicles and underwent oocyte retrieval. Seventy-five percent of started cycles reached transfer of one or two good-quality embryos.
CONCLUSIONS: A single high-dose gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist given during the preceding luteal phase presents a new and feasible protocol to initiate controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in an in vitro fertilization program.