The use of a “double trigger” for fertility preservation in poor responders

Dual trigger with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin improves in vitro fertilization outcome in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist cycles

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether dual trigger with leuprolide acetate plus recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) improves in vitro fertilization outcome in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist cycles.

METHODS

A total of 156 patients diagnosed with mild male factor, unexplained or tubal factor infertility were enrolled in the study. All subjects were allocated into one of two groups: the dual trigger group (leuprolide acetate 500 μg + recombinant hCG 250 μg) and the standard group (recombinant hCG 250 μg) according to the selected trigger method. Oocyte trigger was performed when at least three follicles >17 mm were observed. Pregnancy rate, number of collected oocytes, number of metaphase II oocytes, number of grade-A embryos, cycle cancellation rate, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome rate were the main outcome measures for the study.

RESULTS

The mean number of grade-A embryos (1.6 ± 1.5 vs 1.1 ± 1.4, P = 0.01) and of metaphase II oocytes (7.9 ± 4.6 vs 6.3 ± 5.8, P = 0.02) was significantly higher in the dual-trigger group. Pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the dual-trigger group than in the standard group (54.8 vs 37.5%, P = 0.006). Two cases of mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome were observed in each group.

CONCLUSION

This novel and more physiological trigger approach using 500 μg leuprolide acetate plus 250 μg recombinant hCG may lead to an increase in the number of metaphase II oocytes, grade-A embryos, and may improve pregnancy rates.