Recombinant Luteinizing Hormone supplementation in poor responders undergoing IVF: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The results of several studies about the effectiveness of recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) supplementation in poor responder in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients were conflicting. To evaluate the current available data regarding the efficacy of rLH supplementation in poor responders, a meta-analysis was performed. A systemic search was performed without language limitation but restricted to randomized controlled trial (RCT). We mainly explored MEDLINE, EMBASE, CNKI and Cochrane Library for the relevant studies. Three studies were considered eligible for inclusion. The meta-analysis indicated that rLH supplementation did not increase the ongoing pregnancy rate in poor responders (OR 1.30, 95% CI: 0.80, 2.11). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the number of oocytes retrieved, total dose of rFSH used, total duration of stimulation, number of retrieved metaphase II oocytes and cycle cancellation rate between the study and control groups. In conclusions, the available evidence does not support the addition of rLH in poor responders treated with rFSH and GnRHa for IVF. It was inconclusive. Future research should be based on strict criteria to define poor responders, and large, well-designed RCTs are necessary to definitively answer the important question of whether there was need to use rLH in poor responders undergoing IVF.