Efficacy of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using GnRH antagonist in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing IVF-ET

Choi, Jeong Won; Kim, Chung Hoon; Lee, Hyang Ah; Hong, Seok Ho; Nah, Hee Young; Lee, Young Jin; Kim, Sung Hoon; Chae, Hee Dong; Son, Young Soo; Kang, Byung Moon

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
GnRH antagonist has been recently developed and has provided a new treatment option for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). However, the use of GnRH antagonist (GnRH-ant) has been hesitated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) due to their high levels of tonic luteinizing hormone (LH). This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of 2 kinds of GnRH-ant multidose protocols (MDPs) in infertile women with PCOS undergoing IVF-ET, compared with standard GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) luteal long protocol (LP).
METHODS
Sixty-five patients with PCOS, aged 24-38 years were recruited for this prospective study and they were randomized to undergo GnRH-ant MDP during early and late follicular phase (GnRH-ant MDPEL) (group 1), GnRH-ant MDP during late follicular phase (GnRH-ant MDPL) (group 2), or GnRH-a luteal LP (group 3). All of the subjects were pretreated with low dose monophasic oral contraceptives (OCs) and they were administered recombinant FSH for ovarian stimulation.
RESULTS
There were no differences in serum concentrations of progesterone and endometrial thickness on the day of hCG injection among three groups but serum concentrations of estrogen are higher in group 3 (GnRH-a luteal LP) than other groups. Total dose and duration of rFSH used for COH were significantly higher in group 3 than those in group 1 or 2. Number of retrieved oocytes, grade I/II embryos, fertilized oocytes were significantly higher in group 3 than those in group 2 but there were no differences in any parameters including IVF results between group 1 and 3. No difference in ongoing pregnancy rate was found among 3 groups.
CONCLUSION
The use of the GnRH-ant, especially during early and late stimulation period (GnRH-ant MDPEL) is as effective as GnRH-a LP and might be considered more advantageous because of the short-term and small dose application, and therefore GnRH-ant MDPEL could be cheaper alternative in COH for PCOS women undergoing IVF-ET.