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Effect of a low dose of gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist on in vitro fertilization outcomes

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to determine whether a low dose of the gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist, cetrorelix, prevents a premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and affects in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes compared to the standard dose of 0.25 mg/day.

Methods

In this study, 45 IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients were stimulated with recombinant follicle stimulation hormone from day 2 of the cycle. Cetrorelix was injected daily from day 6 of gonadotropin administration. Twenty-two patients received cetrorelix at a dose of 0.25 mg/day, whereas 23 participants received half dose.

Results

The mean consumption of gonadotropins was significantly higher in patients receiving 0.25 mg/day of cetrorelix (2,213 vs. 1,350 U; p = 0.046). The clinical pregnancy rates were similar in both groups (31.8 vs. 47.8 %; p = 0.273). Premature LH surge was detected in 9.1 % of the patients receiving cetrorelix 0.25 mg/day and in 13 % of the patients receiving cetrorelix 0.125 mg/day (p > 0.05). The difference between two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusıons

Our results suggest that there is no difference between a cetrorelix dose of 0.125 or 0.25 mg/day in preventing premature LH rise during ovarian stimulation for IVF.

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Correspondence to Özlem Seçilmiş Kerimoğlu.

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Kerimoğlu, Ö.S., Ercan, C.M., Keskin, U. et al. Effect of a low dose of gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist on in vitro fertilization outcomes. Arch Gynecol Obstet 288, 691–695 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-2806-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-2806-z

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