A fixed stimulation protocol for in vitro fertilization (IVF) without determinations of hormones in blood.

A new fixed schedule of ovarian stimulation for IVF was developed, which is not only simpler and easier to handle for the patients but also yields better fertilization and pregnancy rates. The period and beginning of stimulation are shifted by means of a contraceptive pill, so that stimulation can generally be started on a Sunday. The patient takes 100 mg clomiphene for 5 days and 7.5 mg prednisolone for 30 days to suppress possible exaggerated adrenal androgens; she also receives 150 IU of human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) i.m. every other day from her family physician. From the 8th day of stimulation onwards, follicular growth is registered by daily ultrasound at the IVF center. When the dominant follicle exceeds 18 mm in diameter, 5000 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is given. Blood sampling for hormone estimations is not necessary, and only one sample of urine is needed for the LH estimation before hCG. In comparison to clomiphene citrate (Clomid) alone, Clomid plus HMG/FSH and HMG/FSH alone, this protocol resulted in significantly higher fertilization and pregnancy rates per follicular puncture. The rate of abortions and extrauterine pregnancies, on the other hand decreased. When comparing repetitive IVF cycles with the first IVF cycle, a significant reduction of oocytes in repetitions was found, but no difference was found in the number of fertilized eggs. The pregnancy rate, on the other hand, increased in the repeat cycles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)