Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2014 May;57(3):216-222. 10.5468/ogs.2014.57.3.216.

The effect of aromatase inhibitor letrozole incorporated in gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist multiple dose protocol in poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilization

• Lee KH
• Kim CH
• Suk HJ
• Lee YJ
• Kwon SK
• Kim SH
• Chae HD
• Kang BM

• KMID: 1704428
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.2014.57.3.216

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether letrozole incorporated in a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist multiple dose protocol (MDP) improved controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) results in poor responders who underwent IVF treatment.
METHODS
In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 103 consecutive IVF cycles that were performed during either the letrozole/GnRH antagonist MDP cycles (letrozole group, n=46) or the standard GnRH antagonist MDP cycles (control group, n=57) were included in 103 poor responders. COS results and IVF outcomes were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
Total dose and days of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (rhFSH) administered were significantly fewer in the letrozole group than in the control group. Duration of GnRH antagonist administered was also shorter in the letrozole group. The number of oocytes retrieved was significantly higher in the letrozole group. However, clinical pregnancy rate per cycle initiated, clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer, embryo implantation rate and miscarriage rate were similar in the two groups.
CONCLUSION
The letrozole incorporated in GnRH antagonist MDP may be more effective because it results comparable pregnancy outcomes with shorter duration and smaller dose of rhFSH, when compared with the standard GnRH antagonist MDP.

Keyword

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist; In vitro fertilization; Letrozole; Poor responder

MeSH Terms

Abortion, Spontaneous
Aromatase*
Cohort Studies
Embryo Implantation
Embryo Transfer
Female
Fertilization in Vitro*
Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Humans
Oocytes
Ovulation Induction
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Pregnancy Rate
Retrospective Studies
Aromatase
Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone

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