Title: Hormonal responses and clinical outcome are the same with three doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist used in the short stimulation protocol
Abstract: Objective:The aim of this study was to compare 3 different doses of GnRH-a in a short protocol on ICSI outcome.Methods: 91 ovulatory patients were randomly assigned to three groups; group A (N=34), group B (N=34) and group C (N=23).All started treatment with urinary gonadotropins, 2 ampoules per day and GnRH-a (Triptorelin) on the first day of the menstrual period and continued till the day of (hCG) administration.The daily dose of Triptorelin was 0.1 mg, 50 µg, and 25 µg in groups A, B and C respectively.Results: Stimulation requirements, days of stimulation and total ampoules of gonadotropins did not differ between the three groups.The mean number of follicles aspirated and the mean number of Metaphase 2 oocytes retrieved were similar in the three groups.Fertilization and cleavage rates were similar in the three groups.The mean number of embryos available for transfer was 6.4±0.5, 9.4±0.5 and 7±0.7 in groups A, B and C, with a significant difference only between groups A and B. Pregnancy rates per cycle were 35.3%, 35.3% and 34.8 % for groups A, B and C, respectively with no significant difference.Conclusion: Early and late hormonal changes, stimulation requirements and final outcome were similar with the different doses of the agonist.Other factors should be considered, most importantly: treatment cost and side effects.