Abstract
Introduction
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is believed to play a role in follicle maturation during the natural cycle. However, the need for co-treatment with recombinant LH (rLH) for controlled ovarian stimulation is controversial.
Purpose
The primary objective of our study was to determine if pregnancy rates are improved when rLH is used in addition to rFSH for ovarian stimulation. Secondary outcomes were fertilization rate, implantation rate and live birth rate.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was performed of 1565 IVF or ICSI cycles. Outcomes were compared between ovarian stimulation cycles from 2007 when rLH and rFSH was used (n = 765) to 2006 when rFSH only was used (n-800).
Results
Improved outcomes were found for rLH + rFSH versus rFSH alone for; pregnancy rate (61% and 54% respectively, p = 0.006), live birth rate (49% and 42% respectively, P = 0.01), fertilization rate (74% versus 72% respectively, p = 0.04 and implantation rate (41% versus 37% respectively, p = 0.03).
Conclusions
Our large retrospective cohort study showed an improved pregnancy rate and live birth rate with rLH supplementation. This was associated with an improved fertilization and implantation rate and therefore may reflect an improvement in oocyte quality and/or uterine receptivity.
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Acknowledgment
We would like to thank Peter Przybylski for his assistance with data collection.
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Capsule
Large cohort observation demonstrated improved pregnancy outcomes with the use of lutenizing hormone in addition to follicle stimulating hormone for in-vitro fertilization.
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Paterson, N.D., Foong, S.C. & Greene, C.A. Improved pregnancy rates with luteinizing hormone supplementation in patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF. J Assist Reprod Genet 29, 579–583 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9740-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9740-z