Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2005 Apr;48(4):955-961.

The effect of oral contraceptive pre-treatment in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using GnRH antagonist on IVF-ET outcome

• Choi JW
• Kim CH
• Lee HA
• Hong SH
• Nah HY
• Lee YJ
• Kim SH
• Chae HD
• Son YS
• Kang BM

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Recent reports have demonstrated that GnRH antagonists can be successfully used in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF). In these antagonist stimulation cycles, oral contraceptive (OC) pretreatment was used to schedule COH. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of OC pretreatment before COH in the antagonist cycles according to the duration of OC administration in infertile patients undergoing IVF-ET.
METHODS
Prospective trial was performed on a total 85 IVF cycles carried out on 85 infertile patients with tubal factor only. Eighty-five patients was allocated randomly to the short term OC user (14-21 days), long term OC user (>or=22 days) and Non-user of OC. In all patients, COH was carried out using GnRH antagonist and recombinant FSH (rFSH).
RESULTS
No differences among the three groups were found in numbers of oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes, fertilized oocytes, embryos grade I/II, transferred embryos and clinical pregnancy rate. There were also no differences in total dose and duration of rFSH used for COH among three groups.
CONCLUSION
Oral contraceptive pretreatment can be used successfully to schedule patients before COH in GnRH antagonist cycles. The OCs can be administered for extended period as necessary for cycle timing. However OC pretreatment in antagonists cycles does not offer any advantage in COH and pregnancy outcome.

Keyword

GnRH antagonist; Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; Oral contraceptive; IVF-ET

MeSH Terms

Appointments and Schedules
Embryonic Structures
Female
Fertilization in Vitro
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone*
Humans
Oocytes
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Pregnancy Rate
Prospective Studies
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone