Michael H Dahan1, Ruth B Lathi. 1. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, 687 Pine Ave West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A1, Canada, dahanhaim@hotmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine whether overexpression of the FSH receptor in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) results in a relative deficiency of gonadotropins and poor oocyte and embryo quality during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Whether twice-daily dosing of gonadotropins could therefore result in improved embryo quality, by fixing this hypothesized relative deficiency of gonadotropins. METHOD: Embryos generated at a university-based fertility center in women with PCOS were compared from twice-daily dosing to once-daily dosing of gonadotropins during IVF cycles. Oocyte and embryo quality was compared. A single patient's embryos were included in the analysis from only one IVF cycle and all embryos from that cycle were included. 254 embryos were compared. RESULTS: Twice-daily vs. once-daily dosing of gonadotropins does not improve embryo or oocyte quality in women with PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: The defect in response to gonadotropins in PCOS is most likely due to an inherent defect in the ovary and not a relative deficiency of gonadotropins due to overexpression of the FSH receptors. More studies are needed to confirm this finding.
PURPOSE: To determine whether overexpression of the FSH receptor in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) results in a relative deficiency of gonadotropins and poor oocyte and embryo quality during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Whether twice-daily dosing of gonadotropins could therefore result in improved embryo quality, by fixing this hypothesized relative deficiency of gonadotropins. METHOD: Embryos generated at a university-based fertility center in women with PCOS were compared from twice-daily dosing to once-daily dosing of gonadotropins during IVF cycles. Oocyte and embryo quality was compared. A single patient's embryos were included in the analysis from only one IVF cycle and all embryos from that cycle were included. 254 embryos were compared. RESULTS: Twice-daily vs. once-daily dosing of gonadotropins does not improve embryo or oocyte quality in women with PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: The defect in response to gonadotropins in PCOS is most likely due to an inherent defect in the ovary and not a relative deficiency of gonadotropins due to overexpression of the FSH receptors. More studies are needed to confirm this finding.