Effects of recombinant LH supplementation to recombinant FSH during induced ovarian stimulation in the GnRH-agonist protocol: a matched case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Some studies have suggested that the suppression of endogenous LH secretion does not seem to affect the majority of patients who are undergoing assisted reproduction and stimulation with recombinant FSH (r-FSH). Other studies have indicated that a group of normogonadotrophic women down-regulated and stimulated with pure FSH preparations may experience low LH concentrations that compromise the IVF parameters. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of recombinant LH (r-LH) supplementation for controlled ovarian stimulation in r-FSH and GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a) protocol in ICSI cycles.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 244 patients without ovulatory dysfunction, aged <40 years and at the first ICSI cycle were divided into two groups matched by age according to an ovarian stimulation scheme: Group I (n = 122): Down-regulation with GnRH-a + r-FSH and Group II (n = 122): Down-regulation with GnRH-a + r-FSH and r-LH (beginning simultaneously).</p> <p>Result(s)</p> <p>The number of oocytes collected, the number of oocytes in metaphase II and fertilization rate were significantly lower in the Group I than in Group II (<it>P </it>= 0.036, <it>P </it>= 0.0014 and <it>P </it>= 0.017, respectively). In addition, the mean number of embryos produced per cycle and the mean number of frozen embryos per cycle were statistically lower (<it>P </it>= 0.0092 and <it>P </it>= 0.0008, respectively) in Group I than in Group II. Finally the cumulative implantation rate (fresh+thaw ed embryos) was significantly lower (<it>P </it>= 0.04) in Group I than in Group II. The other clinical and laboratory results analyzed did not show difference between groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data support r-LH supplementation in ovarian stimulation protocols with r-FSH and GnRH-a for assisted reproduction treatment.</p

Teste triplo biofísico: um novo parâmetro ultra-sonográfico para prognóstico em gestações iniciais Biophysical triple test: a new ultrasonographic parameter for prognostic evaluation in early pregnancies

Objetivos: atrasos no desenvolvimento do saco gestacional (SG), no tamanho do botão embrionário (CCN), assim como freqüências cardíacas embrionárias (FCE) baixas podem ser considerados fatores de mau prognóstico na evolução da gestação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a utilização destes 3 parâmetros em conjunto, o que denominamos Teste Triplo Biofísico (TTB). Metodo: foram avaliadas 35 gestações únicas provenientes de fertilização assistida por injeção intracitoplasmática de espermatozóide (ICSI). Todos os exames de ultra-som foram realizados por um único examinador, após 4-5 semanas da transferência de embriões (6-7 semanas de gestação), com equipamento modelo Synergy da Diasonics, sonda transvaginal de 7,0 MHz. O SG foi medido em seu maior diâmetro transverso, o CCN foi medido no sentido sagital e a FCE pelo modo B-M e Doppler. Na análise estatística foi utilizado o teste de Fisher. Resultados: considerou-se como parâmetros alterados : SG < 15,4 mm; CCN < 3,9 mm e FCE < 100 bpm. Estes parâmetros foram calculados como média menos 1 desvio padrão das gestações em evolução (n = 32). As pacientes definidas com TTB positivo, isto é, as de risco para o aborto, foram aquelas que apresentaram pelo menos 2 parâmetros alterados. Das 35 gestações, o TTB foi positivo em 5, todas as 3 que abortaram e 2 que não abortaram. A diferença entre as que abortaram e as que evoluíram foi altamente significante (p = 0,0015; t-Fisher). A sensibilidade do método foi de 100%, com especificidade de 93,75%, o que resultou em uma eficácia de 96,87%. Conclusão: o TTB é um método ultra-sonográfico não-invasivo e apresenta uma alta eficácia na avaliação prognóstica da gestação inicial.<br>Purpose: it has been demonstrated that delays in gestational sac development, in crown-rump length and low embryonic heart rate could be indicators of poor pregnancy outcome. The purpose was to evaluate the use of these three parameters together, which we named Biophysical Triple Test (BTT). Method: thirty-five singleton pregnancies following IVF treatment with intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) were studied. All ultrasonographic scans were performed by the same examiner, 4-5 weeks after embryo transference (6-7 week gestation), using a Diasonics equipment, model Synergy, with a 7.0-MHz transvaginal transducer. The gestational sac (GS) was measured at the longest transverse diameter; the crown-rump length (CRL) was measured at the sagittal plan and the embryonic heart rate (EHR) was calculated from frozen B and M-mode and Doppler. The statistical test used was Fisher's test. Results: the following parameters were considered abnormal: GS < 15.4 mm, CRL < 3.9 mm, EHR < 100 bpm. The parameters were calculated from the means less one standard deviation for the ongoing pregnancies. The patients with a positive BTT, i.e., with a high risk of miscarriage, were those with at least 2 altered parameters. In 35 pregnancies, a positive BTT was found in 5, all of those who miscarrided and 2 of those who had no miscarriage. The difference between the two groups was highly significant (p = 0.0015; t-Fisher). The sensitivity of the method was is 100%, with a specificity of 93.75 %, which resulted in a 96.87% efficacy. Conclusion: the BTT is an ultrasonographic noninvasive method that presents high efficacy as an indicator of poor pregnancy outcome