Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2004 Aug;47(8):1525-1531.

A Study for Clinical Efficacy of GnRH Antagonist (Cetrorelix) Combined Minimal Stimulation Protocol and GnRH Agonist Combined Long Protocol in Assisted Reproductive Techniques for ICSI Cycles

• Park SD
• Kim DH
• Son YS
• Lee SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the GnRH antagonist (Cetrorelix) minimal stimulation protocol comparing with GnRH agonist combined with long stimulation protocol in male infertility patients.
METHODS
From Jan 2002 to Jun 2003, 65 patients (65 cycles) were performed in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation by using GnRH antagonist and GnRH agonist for male infertility patients. GnRH antagonist combined with minimal stimulation protocol was administered in 30 patients (30 cycles, Study Group) and GnRH agonist long stimulation protocol was administered in 35 patients (35 cycles, Control Group). We compared the pregnancy rate/cycle, total hMG(A)/cycle, retrieved oocyte/cycle, and the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome between the two groups. Student-t test was used to determine statistical significance. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05.
RESULTS
The mean number of oocytes retrieved per cycle was 4.7 +/- 0.6 in the GnRH antagonist group and 8.4 +/- 1.8 in the GnRH agonist group. Fertilization rates were 82.5 +/- 17.7% and 79.4 +/- 20.2% in the GnRH antagonist and agonist group, respectively. The GnRH antagonist group used a lower dose of hMG (8.5 +/- 1.2 vs 39.4 +/- 10.7 ample/cycle) and none of them developed OHSS. Clinical pregnancy rates per cycle were 23.3% in GnRH antagonist group and 31.4% GnRH agonist group.
CONCLUSION
GnRH antagonist protocol may be presented as a new controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocol which has been applied to male-factor infertility undergoing ICSI.

Keyword

GnRH antagonist; ICSI; Minimal stimulation protocol

MeSH Terms

Female
Fertilization
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone*
Humans
Incidence
Infertility
Infertility, Male
Male
Oocytes
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Rate
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted*
Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic*
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone