Sule Yildiz1, Engin Turkgeldi1, Berk Angun2, Alper Eraslan2, Bulent Urman3, Baris Ata4. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koç University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. 2. Dünya IVF Center, Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: barisata@ku.edu.tr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a flexible progestin primed ovarian stimulation (fPPOS) protocol is effective for preventing premature ovulation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Private assisted reproduction center. PATIENT(S): Eighty-seven oocyte donors and 191 recipients of fresh oocytes. INTERVENTION(S): Each donor was stimulated with a flexible gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in one cycle and with the new fPPOS protocol in the other, within a period of 6 months. FSH was started on cycle day 2-3, and 0.25 mg/day GnRH antagonist or 10 mg/day medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was started on stimulation day 7 or when the leading follicle reached 14 mm, whichever came first. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Duration of stimulation, gonadotropin consumption, duration of GnRH antagonist or MPA administration, number of metaphase II oocytes, and pregnancy rates in fresh oocyte recipients. RESULTS: Duration of stimulation was 11 (10-11) days in both groups. Total gonadotropin consumption was similar. Pituitary suppression was started on day 7 and lasted for 5 days in each group. There were no premature ovulations in any group. The fPPOS yielded a significantly higher number of cumulus oocyte complexes than GnRH antagonist cycles (33 [21-39] vs. 26 [18-36], respectively). Likewise, the fPPOS generated significantly more metaphase II oocytes than GnRH antagonist cycles (24 [17-34] vs. 21 [15-28], respectively). Recipients of fresh oocytes from fPPOS and GnRH antagonist cycles had similar cleavage, blastulation, implantation, and live birth/ongoing pregnancy rates (50% vs. 48.6%). CONCLUSION(S): FPPOS with MPA seems to be an effective choice for preventing premature ovulation in women undergoing ovarian stimulation without compromising oocyte quality.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a flexible progestin primed ovarian stimulation (fPPOS) protocol is effective for preventing premature ovulation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Private assisted reproduction center. PATIENT(S): Eighty-seven oocyte donors and 191 recipients of fresh oocytes. INTERVENTION(S): Each donor was stimulated with a flexible gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in one cycle and with the new fPPOS protocol in the other, within a period of 6 months. FSH was started on cycle day 2-3, and 0.25 mg/day GnRH antagonist or 10 mg/day medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was started on stimulation day 7 or when the leading follicle reached 14 mm, whichever came first. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Duration of stimulation, gonadotropin consumption, duration of GnRH antagonist or MPA administration, number of metaphase II oocytes, and pregnancy rates in fresh oocyte recipients. RESULTS: Duration of stimulation was 11 (10-11) days in both groups. Total gonadotropin consumption was similar. Pituitary suppression was started on day 7 and lasted for 5 days in each group. There were no premature ovulations in any group. The fPPOS yielded a significantly higher number of cumulus oocyte complexes than GnRH antagonist cycles (33 [21-39] vs. 26 [18-36], respectively). Likewise, the fPPOS generated significantly more metaphase II oocytes than GnRH antagonist cycles (24 [17-34] vs. 21 [15-28], respectively). Recipients of fresh oocytes from fPPOS and GnRH antagonist cycles had similar cleavage, blastulation, implantation, and live birth/ongoing pregnancy rates (50% vs. 48.6%). CONCLUSION(S): FPPOS with MPA seems to be an effective choice for preventing premature ovulation in women undergoing ovarian stimulation without compromising oocyte quality.