Comparison of the standard GnRH antagonist protocol and the luteal phase estradiol/GnRH antagonist priming protocol in poor ovarian responders

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of the study was to compare the luteal estradiol patch/GnRH antagonists priming protocol (LPP) with the standard GnRH antagonist protocol in poor ovarian responders (PORs) in terms of the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment Materials and methods: IVF outcomes of 265 cycles in 265 patients (106 in the LPP group, 159 in the standard GnRH antagonist group) were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Mean length of stimulation (11.4 +/- 2.7 vs. 10.0 +/- 2.7 days; P < 0.05) and the total gonadotropin dose (3403 +/- 1060 vs. 2984 +/- 1112) used were significantly greater in the LPP group than in the standard GnRH antagonist protocol group. The mean number of oocytes retrieved (3.5 +/- 2.6 vs. 3.7 +/- 2.8), the number of mature oocytes (2.8 +/- 2.2 vs. 2.6 +/- 2.2), fertilization rates (65% vs. 62%), the number of embryos transferred (1.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.6), and implantation rates (16% vs. 13%) were similar. The cancellation rate did not significantly differ between the groups (9.4% vs. 13.2%). There were no significant differences in the clinical pregnancy (11.3% vs. 13.2%) or live birth rates per patient (3.8% vs. 9.4%) and clinical pregnancy (18.8% vs. 22.6%) or live birth rates per embryo transfer (6.3% vs. 12.9%) between the groups. Conclusion: LPP does not improve IVF outcomes when compared with the standard GnRH antagonist protocol in PORs.