The effect of recombinant LH on embryo quality: a randomized controlled trial in women with poor ovarian reserve

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Poor ovarian response is a common clinical problem, affecting up to 26% of IVF cycles. For these women, addition of recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) to ovarian hyperstimulation with recombinant FSH has a beneficial effect on ongoing pregnancy rates, but its effect on the yield of top-quality embryos is unknown. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in women expected to respond poorly under ovarian hyperstimulation during their first IVF cycle [all women aged 35-41 and women with FSH > 12 IU/ml and antral follicle count (AFC) <= 5]. Women were randomly allocated to rFSH and rLH (2: 1 ratio) or rFSH alone (control group) after down-regulation with a GnRH agonist. The primary outcome was the proportion of top-quality embryos per woman on the day of transfer. Secondary outcomes were the number of stimulation days, the number of follicles >= 17 mm, the number of oocytes, the fertilization rate, the number of embryos, the number of women with >= 1 top-quality embryo, the biochemical, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates and the miscarriage rate. RESULTS: There were 116 women allocated to the rLH group and 128 allocated to the control group. The proportion of top-quality embryos per woman was 17% in the rLH group and 11% in the control group [mean difference 0.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.01-0.14]. In the rLH and control groups respectively, 47 (41%) and 41 (32%) women had at least one top-quality embryo on the day of transfer (relative risk: 1.3, 95% CI 0.91-1.77). The ongoing pregnancy rate was 13 versus 12% (relative risk: 1.1; 95% CI 0.57-2.16) for the rLH group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study found no significant difference in embryo quality after the addition of rLH to rFSH for ovarian stimulation in women with poor ovarian reserve
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)244-250
JournalHuman reproduction (Oxford, England)
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

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