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A comparative study of luteal estradiol pre-treatment in GnRH antagonist protocols and in micro dose flare protocols for poor-responding patients

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

An Editorial Expression of Concern to this article was published on 11 October 2023

A Correction to this article was published on 15 April 2024

This article has been updated

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to verify if luteal estradiol pre-treatment improves IVF/ICSI outcomes in a GnRH antagonist protocol as compared with a micro dose GnRH agonist protocol in poor-responding patients.

Methods

A total of 116 IVF/ICSI cycles were included in this prospective randomized single blind clinical trial. The selected women were randomly assigned to receive an estradiol pre-treatment in a GnRH antagonist protocol (daily oral Estradiol Valerate 4 mg preceding the IVF cycle from the 21st day until the first day of the next cycle) or in oral contraceptive pill micro dose GnRH agonist protocol.

Results

The patients in the luteal estradiol protocol required more days of stimulation (10.9 ± 1.6 vs. 10.2 ± 1.8) and a greater gonadotropin requirement (3,247.8 ± 634.6 vs. 2,994.8 ± 611 IU), yet similar numbers of oocytes were retrieved and fertilized. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the implantation rates (9.8 vs. 7.9 %) and the clinical pregnancy rates per transfer (16.3 vs. 15.6 %).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the use of estradiol during a preceding luteal phase in a GnRH antagonist protocol can provide similar IVF outcomes when compared to a micro dose GnRH agonist protocol.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the nursing and embryology staff of the Yazd Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yazd Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Bouali Street, Safaieh, 8916877391, Yazd, Iran

    Robab Davar, Mozhgan Rahsepar & Elham Rahmani

  2. Obstetrics and Gynecology Ward, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

    Elham Rahmani

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  1. Robab Davar
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  2. Mozhgan Rahsepar
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  3. Elham Rahmani
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Correspondence to Elham Rahmani.

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Davar, R., Rahsepar, M. & Rahmani, E. A comparative study of luteal estradiol pre-treatment in GnRH antagonist protocols and in micro dose flare protocols for poor-responding patients. Arch Gynecol Obstet 287, 149–153 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2522-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2522-0

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