Gonadotropin stimulation following GnRH-a priming for poor responders in in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer programs

The effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) administration before gonadotropin super-ovulation on the stimulation characteristics of poor responder patients was assessed in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. Thirty consecutive patients who had exhibited low ovarian response (fewer than four retrieved oocytes) in at least two previous IVF cycles (control cycles, n = 60), were eligible for the study. GnRH-a (nafarelin) was administered daily for 7–10 days from the mid-luteal phase of the previous cycle until the first day of menstruation. Menotropin treatment was commenced on cycle day 3 (with no additional GnRH-a) (study cycles, n = 39). A significantly higher number of oocytes was retrieved (p < 0.0002) and a higher number of embryos transferred (p < 0.003) in the study cycles than in the control cycles. No cases of premature luteinizing hormone surge were recorded. Pregnancy rates per embryo transfer and per cycle were 10.4% and 7.7% for the study cycles and 2.8% and 1.6% for the control cycles, respectively. GnRH-a, administered prior to gonadotropin treatment, should be an additional option of ovulation induction protocol for poor responders in IVF programs.