Hormonal responses and clinical outcome are the same with three doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist used in the short stimulation protocol.

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.