Anat Hershko Klement1, Arie Berkovitz2, Amir Wiser2, Ofer Gonen2, Keren Amichay2, Ilan Cohen2, Yehudith Ghetler2, Adrian Shulman3. 1. The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel. Electronic address: anat.klement@gmail.com. 2. The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel. 3. The IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tschernihovsky St., Kfar Saba 44299, Israel. Electronic address: adrian.shulman@clalit.org.il.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Testing the ability to program IVF GnRH-antagonist cycles to avoid weekend oocyte retrieval. STUDY DESIGN: Preliminary randomized clinical trial. Patients presenting an indication for IVF or IVF-ICSI were assigned into either the Treatment Group - GnRH antagonist protocol, programmed to start stimulatory agents on a Friday, with oral 2mg estradiol valerate twice a day from the 2nd day of cycle until the first Friday to follow, or to the Control Group - long luteal GnRH agonist protocol. RESULTS: The performance of 27 Treatment Group patients and 24 Control Group patients was analyzed. Cycle dynamics were not clinically or statistically different except for a significant difference in the number of follicles measuring ≥18 mm on hCG administration day. There were no differences in the number of aspirated ova, fertilization rates, embryo quality or number of embryos to be transferred. Pregnancy rate was 41.7% in the Treatment Group and 50% in the Control Group (P>0.5). Only one patient assigned to the Treatment Group had a weekend retrieval. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results demonstrate no compromise related to follicular estrogen programming in a GnRH antagonist protocol and provide reassurance regarding the ability to achieve programming goals.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Testing the ability to program IVF GnRH-antagonist cycles to avoid weekend oocyte retrieval. STUDY DESIGN: Preliminary randomized clinical trial. Patients presenting an indication for IVF or IVF-ICSI were assigned into either the Treatment Group - GnRH antagonist protocol, programmed to start stimulatory agents on a Friday, with oral 2mg estradiol valerate twice a day from the 2nd day of cycle until the first Friday to follow, or to the Control Group - long luteal GnRH agonist protocol. RESULTS: The performance of 27 Treatment Group patients and 24 Control Group patients was analyzed. Cycle dynamics were not clinically or statistically different except for a significant difference in the number of follicles measuring ≥18 mm on hCG administration day. There were no differences in the number of aspirated ova, fertilization rates, embryo quality or number of embryos to be transferred. Pregnancy rate was 41.7% in the Treatment Group and 50% in the Control Group (P>0.5). Only one patient assigned to the Treatment Group had a weekend retrieval. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results demonstrate no compromise related to follicular estrogen programming in a GnRH antagonist protocol and provide reassurance regarding the ability to achieve programming goals.