Clomiphene citrate and hMG: An alternative stimulation protocol for selected failed in vitro fertilization patients

  • Claudio A. Benadiva
  • Owen Davis
  • Isaac Kligman
  • Hung -Ching Liu
  • Zev Rosenwaks
Clinical Assisted Reproduction

Abstract

Purpose

This study was carried out to evaluate the potential role of the combination clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotropin (CC/hMG) for patients who failed previous in vitrofertilization (IVF) attempts with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRH- a) and/ or exogenous gonadotropins.

Methods

Patients were stimulated with CC/hMG (n=93) after unsuccessfully undergoing 182 gonadotropin cycles with (n=106) or without (n=76) luteal-phase GnRH- a. Cancellation rate, length of stimulation, and peak estradiol levels did not differ significantly between the two regimens.

Results

Although fewer oocytes were retrieved when the CC/hMG combination was used, 16 patients were able to successfully achieve a pregnancy (26.2% delivery rate/ transfer). When daily follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured in two successive cycles in those women who conceived with the CC/hMG stimulation, baseline levels did not differ when compared with a previous GnRH-a/hMG cycle. Nevertheless, serum FSH levels rose rapidly and remained higher in the GnRH- a/hMG cycle, reaching significantly higher levels on day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration.

Conclusion

Selected patients who failed previous IVF attempts with gonadotropins with or without GnRH analogs may benefit from the addition of CC to their ovarian stimulation protocol.

Key words

in vitro fertilization clomiphene citrate ovarian stimulation 

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Copyright information

© Plenum Publishing Corporation 1995

Authors and Affiliations

  • Claudio A. Benadiva
    • 1
  • Owen Davis
    • 1
  • Isaac Kligman
    • 1
  • Hung -Ching Liu
    • 1
  • Zev Rosenwaks
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical CenterNew York

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