Induction of ovulation for in-vitro fertilisation using buserelin and gonadotropins

Hotspots and frontiers in luteal phase defect research: An in-depth global trend bibliometric and visualization analysis over a 52-year period

Luteal phase defect (LPD) is a common female reproductive endocrine defect，which is associated not only with certain diseases but also with the menstrual cycle and fertility in women. With the development of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in recent years, the incidence of luteal phase defect is high among patients using assisted reproductive technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate worldwide research on luteal phase defects using bibliometric analysis. A total of 631 documents related to the study of luteal phase defect were identified over the last 52 years. The current status and trend of globalization can be comprehended by analyzing the annual number of publications, institutions, authors, countries and regions of corresponding authors, journals, influential luteal phase defect publications (which were highly cited), highly cited references in luteal phase defect publications (cocitation analysis) and keywords. The study results provide a comprehensive overview of the development of scientific literature and are of great significance for the future development of the field，especially infertility and early pregnancy loss.

Micronized natural progesterone (Seidigestan®) vs GnRH antagonists for preventing the LH surge during controlled ovarian stimulation (PRO_NAT study): study protocol of a randomized clinical trial

Introduction

Progesterone-primed cycles effectively suppress the pituitary LH surge during ovarian stimulation in oocyte donors and in the infertile population. Particularly in oocyte donors, the use of synthetic progesterone (progestins) has been explored in prospective clinical trials, showing mixed results. This trial was designed to determine whether the use of micronized natural progesterone is as effective as the GnRH-antagonist protocol in terms of the number of mature oocytes (MII) retrieved in oocyte donation cycles as a primary outcome, and it also aims to explore the corresponding results in recipients as a secondary outcome.

Methods

We propose a prospective, open-label, non-inferiority clinical trial to compare a novel approach for oocyte donors with a control group, which follows the standard ovarian stimulation protocol used in our institution. A total of 150 donors (75 in each group) will be recruited and randomized using a computer algorithm. After obtaining informed consent, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two ovarian stimulation protocols: either the standard GnRH antagonist or the oral micronized natural progesterone protocol. Both groups will receive recombinant gonadotropins tailored to their antral follicle count and prior donation experiences, if any. The primary outcome is the number of mature metaphase II (MII) oocytes. Secondary measures include treatment duration, pregnancy outcomes in recipients, as well as the economic cost per MII oocyte obtained in each treatment regimen. Analyses for the primary outcome will be conducted in both the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) populations. Each donor can participate only once during the recruitment period. The estimated duration of the study is six months for the primary outcome and 15 months for the secondary outcomes.

Discussion

The outcomes of this trial have the potential to inform evidence-based adjustments in the management of ovarian stimulation protocols for oocyte donors.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier, NCT05954962.

Comparison between the modified long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol and the non-downregulation protocol in POSEIDON groups: a propensity score matching retrospective cohort study

Background

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the main technique to address the infertility issue in the patient-oriented strategy encompassing individualized oocyte number (POSEIDON) population. Adopting appropriate protocols for assisted reproduction technologies (ART) cycles in the POSEIDON group may attain more favorable pregnancy outcomes.

Objectives

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of modified long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol and non-downregulation protocol in POSEIDON patients undergoing ART, and to identify the factors affecting the pregnancy outcomes in this group.

Design

This study was designed as a propensity score-matched (PSM) retrospective analysis.

Participants

The study cohort consisted of 910 patients diagnosed with ovarian hyporesponsiveness and treated by IVF from January 2020 to June 2022. They were followed up until the transfer of the last embryo of the IVF cycle and/or pregnancy at 12 weeks. The study was conducted at the Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Methods

The patients were divided into Group I and Group II. Group I was treated with modified long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol while Group II was put on a non-downregulation protocol. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to select patients for each group. The subjects were compared in terms of the baseline level, process of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, and pregnancy outcomes. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the difference in the cumulative pregnancy rate between the two groups.

Results

Of the 910 POSEIDON patients who underwent IVF, 213 received the modified long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol and 697 were subjected to the non-downregulation protocol. From the original cohort, PSM matched 174 pairs of patients. No statistically significant difference was found in total gonadotropin (Gn) dose between the two PSM groups, but the average daily Gn dose was lower in Group I and the duration of Gn lasted longer. The number of retrieved oocytes, the number of metaphase II (MII) ooctyes retrieved, normal fertilization, and normal cleavage embryos was significantly higher in Group I than in Group II, but there existed no significant difference in the number of high-quality embryos between the two groups. The single-cycle CPR (cumulative pregnancy rate) was higher in Group I than in Group II (for Group I: before PSM, CPR = 52.6%; after PSM, CPR = 51.7%; for Group II: before PSM, CPR = 34.0%; after PSM, CPR = 34.5%), and the difference was statistically significant. A binary logistic regression analysis in the unmatched patients showed that the CPR of Group II was 0.486 times that of Group I (95% CI: 0.303 to 0.779).

Conclusions

The modified long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol can be used as an optimal protocol for IVF or ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in POSEIDON patients.

Level of evidence

Level III.

Effect of recombinant LH supplementation timing on clinical pregnancy outcome in long-acting GnRHa downregulated cycles

Background

Timely and moderate luteinizing hormone (LH) supplementation plays positive roles in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) cycles with long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) pituitary downregulation. However, the appropriate timing of LH supplementation remains unclear.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective cohort study of 2226 cycles at our reproductive medicine centre from 2018 to 2020. We mainly conducted smooth curve fitting to analyse the relationship between the dominant follicle diameter when recombinant LH (rLH) was added and the clinical pregnancy outcomes (clinical pregnancy rate or early miscarriage rate). In addition, total cycles were divided into groups according to different LH levels after GnRHa and dominant follicle diameters for further analysis.

Results

Smooth curve fitting showed that with the increase in the dominant follicle diameter when rLH was added, the clinical pregnancy rate gradually increased, and the early  miscarriage rate gradually decreased.

Conclusions

In long-acting GnRHa downregulated IVF/ICSI-ET cycles, the appropriate timing of rLH supplementation has a beneficial impact on the clinical pregnancy outcome. Delaying rLH addition is conducive to the clinical pregnancy rate and reduces the risk of early miscarriage.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04963-x.

Effect of dominant follicle status at the time of retrieval on the clinical outcomes in natural cycle IVF combined with immature oocyte treatment

Objective: It is commonly believed that the oocytes from small follicles are unhealthy when a dominant follicle (DF) is recruited in the ovaries, especially when the DF is ovulated. This study aims to confirm whether the presence or ovulation of DF at the time of retrieval affects the clinical outcome of the natural cycle IVF with in vitro maturation (NC-IVF/M) treatment.

Methods: Data were collected from 446 women with regular menstrual cycle and 536 retrieval cycles using NC-IVF/M treatment. The cycles were divided into three groups based on the results of the oocyte retrieval cycle. Group A covers the collection of oocytes from the DF and small follicles; Group B incorporates failed oocyte retrieval from DF and then the oocytes are retrieved only from small follicles; and Group C includes the retrieval of oocytes only from small follicles accompanied with an ovulated DF. Furthermore, Group B and C have subgroups to include whether in vivo matured oocytes were obtained from small follicles. Following aspiration of DF and small follicles, mature oocytes were inseminated on the date of retrieval by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and the immature oocytes were matured in vitro. If the immature oocytes were matured in vitro, they were inseminated using ICSI, and then the embryos obtained from in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes were transferred accordingly.

Results: The oocytes from DF were successfully retrieved in 445 cycles (83.0%), failed to be retrieved in 54 cycles (10.1%) and ovulated in 37 cycles (6.9%). In Group A, an average of 2.0 ± 1.7 mature oocytes were retrieved, which was significantly higher than the average of Group B, with 1.3 ± 1.3 matured oocytes and Group C, with an average of 1.1 ± 1.5 matured oocytes (P < 0.01). However, the average number of immature oocytes retrieved from each group show no difference among the three groups. There was no significant difference in maturation rates of immature oocytes, fertilization rates among the three groups. The clinical pregnancy rate per transfer cycle is 34.5%, 34.6% and 25.7% in Group A, B and C, respectively. No significant differences were observed in embryonic development and implantation capacity in Group B and C in comparison to Group A. And there was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy, implantation, live birth and miscarriage rates among the three groups. No significant differences were observed in the developmental and implantation capacity according to with or without in vivo matured oocytes were retrieved in Group B and Group C.

Conclusion: The presence or ovulation of the dominant follicle from the ovaries does not significantly influence the developmental and implantation capacity of immature oocytes retrieved from small follicles, suggesting that NC-IVF/M is a promising treatment option for women without ovarian stimulation.

GnRH Antagonist Protocol Versus GnRH Agonist Long Protocol: A Retrospective Cohort Study on Clinical Outcomes and Maternal-Neonatal Safety

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical outcomes and maternal-neonatal safety of gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) and gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) protocols.

METHODS

A total of 2505 women undergoing their first in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into GnRH-ant group (n = 1514) and GnRH-a group (n = 991) according their stimulation protocol. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used for balancing the baseline of two groups. The pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in fresh transfer cycles, and the obstetric and perinatal outcomes were calculated in singleton live births of fresh cycles. The primary outcome was the live birth rate. The secondary outcome measures were maternal complications, preterm birth rate, low birthweight rate, multiple pregnancy rate, and moderate-severe OHSS rate.

RESULTS

After 1:1 PSM, baseline characteristics of the GnRH-ant group and GnRH-a group were matched and assigned 991 cycles in each group. Before PSM, there were 700 fresh cycles including 237 singleton live births in the GnRH-ant group and 588 fresh cycles including 187 singleton live births in the GnRH-a group. After PSM, there were 471 fresh cycles including 166 singleton live births in the GnRH-ant group and 588 fresh cycles including 187 singleton live births in the GnRH-a group. No significant differences were observed in the live birth rate (44.6% vs 48.8%), maternal complications, preterm birth rate (9.0% vs 6.4%), and low birthweight rate (17.5% vs 24.1%) between two groups after PSM (P > 0.05). The moderate-severe OHSS rate (2.9% vs 6.0%, P = 0.002) and multiple pregnancy rate (24.5% vs 33.1%, P = 0.025) was significantly lower in the GnRH-ant group than that in the GnRH-a group after PSM.

CONCLUSION

GnRH-ant protocol was comparable with GnRH-a protocol in clinical outcomes, obstetric and perinatal outcomes, and with a lower risk of OHSS. For those who want to get an effective and safe outcome, and a shorter treatment period, GnRH-ant is a suitable choice.

Effect of serum progesterone levels on hCG trigger day on pregnancy outcomes in GnRH antagonist cycles

OBJECTIVE

The present study analyzed the effect of hCG trigger day progesterone (P) levels on the live birth rate (LBR) in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was a single-center retrospective study. In vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles performed from January 2017 to December 2020 were included in the analysis. This study included people with a normal ovarian response to fresh embryo transfer of GnRH antagonist protocols. All cycles were divided into 2 groups by P level on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger, P<1.0 ng/ml and P≥1.0 ng/ml. The primary outcome measure was LBR.

RESULT

A total of 867 cycles with P<1.0 ng/ml and 362 cycles with P≥1.0 ng/ml were included in the analysis. The clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) was higher in the P<1.0 ng/ml group than the P≥1.0 ng/ml group (44.9% vs. 37.6%, P=0.02). The early spontaneous abortion rate was comparable between the groups (14.4% vs. 14.7%, P=0.93). For live birth, the rate for the P<1.0 ng/ml group was 35.3%, which was significantly higher than the 29.0% in the P≥1.0 ng/ml group (P=0.03). After binary logistic regression analysis, the P level on the hCG trigger day (adjusted odds ratio=0.74, 95% CI=0.55-0.99, P=0.04) was an independent risk factor for LBR. For the P level on the hCG trigger day, the LBR was lower in the P≥1.0 ng/ml group compared to the P<1.0 ng/ml group.

CONCLUSION

For normal ovarian response patients using the GnRH antagonist protocol, serum P≥1.0 ng/ml on the hCG trigger day resulted in a lower LBR than the P<1.0 ng/ml group. When P≥1.0 ng/ml, whole embryo freezing may be considered.

To Compare the Effect of GnRH Agonist versus Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Trigger on Clinical Pregnancy Rate in Intrauterine Insemination Cycle

Context:

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist trigger mimics the natural surge more closely with both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone surge. The present study attempts to find whether this apparent physiological advantage translates into the better pregnancy rate.

Aims:

To compare the effect of GnRH agonist versus human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger on the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) in infertile women undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) with oral ovulogens.

Settings and Design:

Retrospective analysis at a tertiary care in vitro fertilization center.

Materials and Methods:

The records of 280 infertile women, who underwent IUI with oral ovulogens were analyzed. Women who received 0.2 mg triptorelin (GnRH agonist (GnRHa)) as trigger were categorised in Group A (n = 129) and those who received 10,000 IU urinary hCG in Group B (n = 151). The outcome in terms of CPR was studied.

Statistical Analysis Used:

The quantitative variables were compared using the independent t-test/Mann–Whitney test. The qualitative variables were compared using the Chi-square test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

There was a trend toward better CPR in Group A (21/129 – 16.28%) than in Group B (16/151 – 10.60%), although the difference was not found to be statistically significant (P – 0.162).

Conclusions:

There was a trend toward better CPR with the use of GnRH agonist trigger in IUI cycles with oral ovulogens in comparison to hCG trigger, although the difference was not found to be statistically significant. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

No significant long-term complications from inadvertent exposure to gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist during early pregnancy in mothers and offspring: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) in the luteal phase is commonly used for pituitary suppression during in vitro fertilisation (IVF). There is an ineluctable risk of inadvertent exposure of spontaneous pregnancy to GnRH-a. However, little is known about the pregnancy complications and repregnancy outcomes of the affected women and the neurodevelopmental outcomes of the GnRH-a-exposed children.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was used to determine obstetric and repregnancy outcomes after natural conception in 114 women who naturally conceived while receiving GnRH-a during their early pregnancy over the past 17 years. The GnRH-a-exposed children were evaluated to determine their neonatal characteristics and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The outcomes were compared to those of relevant age-matched control groups.

RESULTS

Sixty-five women had 66 live births. The neonatal health outcomes and the incidence of maternal complications were similar in the GnRH-a-exposed and control groups. Thirty-one GnRH-a-exposed children, aged 2-8 years, were available for investigation of neurodevelopment. Except for one case of autism spectrum disorder, the full-scale intelligence quotient score was within the normal range and similar to that of the control group. Most mothers with successful pregnancies and about one-third of the women who had spontaneous abortions were subsequently able to conceive naturally again. IVF is recommended for repregnancy in women who have experienced ectopic pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS

Accidental exposure to GnRH-a in early pregnancy might be safe. Reproductive treatment suggestions for repregnancy should be made with consideration of the outcomes of the previously GnRH-a-exposed spontaneous pregnancy.

Optimising Follicular Development, Pituitary Suppression, Triggering and Luteal Phase Support During Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Delphi Consensus

BACKGROUND

A Delphi consensus was conducted to evaluate global expert opinions on key aspects of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.

METHODS

Ten experts plus the Scientific Coordinator discussed and amended statements plus supporting references proposed by the Scientific Coordinator. The statements were distributed via an online survey to 35 experts, who voted on their level of agreement or disagreement with each statement. Consensus was reached if the proportion of participants agreeing or disagreeing with a statement was >66%.

RESULTS

Eighteen statements were developed. All statements reached consensus and the most relevant are summarised here. (1) Follicular development and stimulation with gonadotropins (n = 9 statements): Recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) alone is sufficient for follicular development in normogonadotropic patients aged <35 years. Oocyte number and live birth rate are strongly correlated; there is a positive linear correlation with cumulative live birth rate. Different r-hFSH preparations have identical polypeptide chains but different glycosylation patterns, affecting the biospecific activity of r-hFSH. r-hFSH plus recombinant human LH (r-hFSH:r-hLH) demonstrates improved pregnancy rates and cost efficacy versus human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in patients with severe FSH and LH deficiency. (2) Pituitary suppression (n = 2 statements): Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are associated with lower rates of any grade ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and cycle cancellation versus GnRH agonists. (3) Final oocyte maturation triggering (n=4 statements): Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) represents the gold standard in fresh cycles. The efficacy of hCG triggering for frozen transfers in modified natural cycles is controversial compared with LH peak monitoring. Current evidence supports significantly higher pregnancy rates with hCG + GnRH agonist versus hCG alone, but further evidence is needed. GnRH agonist trigger, in GnRH antagonist protocol, is recommended for final oocyte maturation in women at risk of OHSS. (4) Luteal-phase support (n = 3 statements): Vaginal progesterone therapy represents the gold standard for luteal-phase support.

CONCLUSIONS

This Delphi consensus provides a real-world clinical perspective on the specific approaches during the key steps of ART treatment from a diverse group of international experts. Additional guidance from clinicians on ART strategies could complement guidelines and policies, and may help to further improve treatment outcomes.

Analysis of IVF/ICSI Outcomes in Endometriosis Patients With Recurrent Implantation Failure: Influence on Cumulative Live Birth Rate

OBJECTIVE

To study the influence of endometriosis activity on the pregnancy outcomes of patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in in-vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles. The pregnancy outcomes were compared between RIF patients with endometriosis who received treatment at different occasions to explore the appropriate treatment plan for these patients and to optimize the pregnancy-support strategies.

DESIGN

Ambispective cohort study.

METHODS

A total of 330 patients with endometriosis were enrolled from 2008 to 2018 and included 1043 IVF/ICSI cycles. All patients were diagnosed with RIF after IVF/ICSI. Patients were assigned to three subtypes according to different control states of endometriosis, including the untreated, early-treatment, and late-treatment groups. The clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, and cumulative live birth rate of endometriosis patients with RIF were the main outcomes; additionally, the fertilization rate, available embryonic rate, and high-quality embryonic rate were also compared.

RESULTS

The early-treatment and late-treatment groups showed higher cumulative live birth rate than the untreated group (early-treated 43.6% vs. late-treated 46.3% vs. untreated 27.7%, P<0.001), though patients in the two treatment groups had higher rates of adenomyosis and ovarian surgery. The two treatment group showed a better laboratory result than the untreated and especially, the early-treatment group. The untreated group (46.24%) had a lower IVF fertilization rate than the treated group (early-treated [64.40%] and late-treated [60.27%] (P<0.001). In addition, the rates of available embryos and high-quality embryos in the early-treated group were much higher those that in the untreated group (90.30% vs. 85.20%, 76.50% vs. 64.47%). Kaplan-Meier curve showed that patients in the untreated group needed a mean of 23.126 months to achieve one live birth; whereas those in the treated group needed a comparatively shorter duration (early-treated: 18.479 ± 0.882 months and late-treated: 14.183 ± 1.102 months, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Endometriosis has a negative influence on IVF/ICSI outcome. The control of endometriosis activity can result in a higher cumulative live birth rate in patients. It is necessary for endometriosis patients to receive medical treatment to achieve a better prognosis especially for those with RIF.

Ovarian stimulation increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy for fresh embryo transfers: an analysis of 68,851 clinical pregnancies from the Japanese Assisted Reproductive Technology registry

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk of ectopic pregnancies (EPs) for fresh cycles according to different ovarian stimulation protocols.

DESIGN

Registry-based retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENT(S)

A total of 68,851 clinical pregnancies after fresh single embryo transfer between 2007 and 2015.

INTERVENTION (S)

None MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Ectopic pregnancies. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for EPs were calculated by using generalized estimating equations adjusted for potential maternal and treatment characteristics.

RESULT(S)

Among 68,851 clinical pregnancies, 1,049 (1.46%) cases of EP were reported. Compared with natural cycles, all ovarian stimulation protocols were associated with a significantly increased risk of EP. Ovarian stimulation with clomiphene (CC) demonstrated the highest odds ratios for EPs. Significant associations between ovarian stimulation protocols and EP compared with natural cycles were prominent when the number of retrieved oocytes was low (1-3) to moderate (4-7), but there were no significant associations when the number of retrieved oocytes was high (≥8).

CONCLUSION(S)

Ovarian stimulation protocols were significantly associated with an increased risk of EP. In particular, ovarian stimulation with CC had the highest risk of EP compared with other stimulation protocols. Further studies are essential to investigate possible confounding factors for different ovarian stimulation protocols, especially CC, and the risk of EP.

Effect of duration of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist on the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer in a short-acting long regimen

Objective: To investigate the effect of the duration of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) use on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) during the short-acting long-term hyperstimulation cycle. Methodology: Clinical data from 776 patients receiving controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) after short-term regimen downregulation were retrospectively analyzed. According to the duration of GnRH-a, the patients were divided into 3 groups: Group A, 14 days for GnRH-a; Group B, 15-17 days for GnRH-a; and Group C, >18 days for GnRH-a. The clinical data, treatment and clinical outcomes were compared among the groups. Results: There were no significant differences in fertilization rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate(P > 0.05). The total costs in group A were significantly less than those in group B and C(P < 0.001). The number of eggs and quality embryos generated in group A was significantly higher than that in groups B and C (P = 0.014, P = 0.005). Conclusions: In the short-acting GnRH agonist long protocol, satisfactory IVF-ET pregnancy outcome was obtained with the use of GnRH-a for 14 days under the premise of lowering the receptor-regulating standard. Excessive application of GnRH-a will affect the number of eggs and embryos and increase the cost of medical treatment.

Efficacy and safety of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

To compare the ovarian responses after administration of two recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (r-FSH) preparations under gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue downregulation, we conducted a phase 3, randomized, multicenter, assessor-blind, active-controlled, parallel group study. The primary outcome was the number of oocytes retrieved. The secondary outcomes included total dose and duration of r-FSH administered, oocyte quality, blood estradiol levels, follicular development, fertilization rates, implantation rates, and pregnancy rates (biochemical, clinical, and ongoing). A total of 451 patients with infertility were randomized to receive either Follitrope™ Prefilled Syringe or Gonal-F® Pen for ovarian stimulation. The mean number of oocytes retrieved was 14.9 in the FollitropeTM Prefilled Syringe group, and 12.8 in the Gonal-F® Pen group. The 95% confidence interval in the oocyte number difference between the groups was [-0.1, 4.2], demonstrating that FollitropeTM Prefilled Syringe was not inferior to Gonal-F® Pen. The clinical pregnancy rates (FollitropeTM Prefilled Syringe vs. Gonal-F® Pen: 55.4% vs. 51.9%) and ongoing pregnancy rates (44.1% vs. 43.0%) were similar between the groups. No clinically significant adverse events were observed in either group. In summary, our study indicates that FollitropeTM Prefilled Syringe is safe and efficacious for ovarian stimulation.

Founding pioneers of IVF update: Innovative researchers generating livebirths by 1982

This commentary adds accuracy and interesting information to the story of the founding pioneers of IVF which was published in this journal in 2018, at the 40^th anniversary of the first IVF livebirth, namely Louise Joy Brown born 25 July 1978. Table 1 in that first publication is now updated to reflect extended information about Team 1 comprising the acknowledged "Fathers of IVF", but whose work is better tabulated as Team 1a from the NHS days in Oldham; and Team 1b covering the new period of private practice at Bourn Hall in Cambridge. With the passing of pioneer Ian Craft, co-author of the first article, further information came to light at his memorial service. There has now been some adjustment to the last few months of 1982, with correct inclusion of Israel into the list along with an interesting exposé of the two major pioneer facilities of that country. The previously cited third Australian groups (Team 12) have now been appropriately relegated to 1983, a year which experienced a plethora of IVF facilities around the world and the beginning of the IVF population boom.

Cumulative Live Birth Rates After the First ART Cycle Using Flexible GnRH Antagonist Protocol vs. Standard Long GnRH Agonist Protocol: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Women of Different Ages and Various Ovarian Reserve

Objective: To compare the cumulative live birth rates (cLBRs) after the first assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle using flexible gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-antagonist protocol vs. standard long GnRH agonist protocol for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in infertile women with different ages and ovarian reserve. Methods: Women who underwent ART treatment at our center between June 1st, 2015 and December 31st, 2018 were screened. Among them, only women who underwent their first COS cycle with flexible GnRH antagonist protocol or standard long GnRH agonist protocol were included in this study. The main outcome measurement was cLBR. Results: A total of 4,402 patients were eligible for the analysis, of whom, 2,762 patients used the GnRH agonist protocol and 1,640 patients used the GnRH antagonist protocol. The cLBRs of women in the antagonist protocol group and long agonist protocol group were 45.3 and 50.0%, respectively. Subgroup multivariable regression analysis showed that, in patients with low ovarian reserve (AFC ≤ 7), the cLBR was significantly lower in the antagonist group than in the long agonist protocol group [OR (95% CI) 0.62 (0.41, 0.94)], which effect was more robust in younger patients (<30 y) [OR (95% CI) 0.29 (0.11, 0.74)]. The analysis also revealed remarkably lower cLBR in patients above 40 years regardless of their AFC, although the difference was not statistically significant. However, in patients with high ovarian reserve (AFC >24), the cLBR was higher in cycles with antagonist protocol than with the long agonist protocol [OR (95% CI) 1.43 (0.96, 2.12)], and the effect was of statistical significance in younger patients (< 30 y) [OR (95% CI) 1.78 (1.07, 2.96)]. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the flexible GnRH antagonist protocol might not be suitable for patients with low ovarian reserve (AFC ≤ 7) or patients aged over 40 years. However, flexible GnRH antagonist protocol might be strongly recommended for patients under 30 years old and with high ovarian reserve (AFC > 24). For the rest groups of patients in the present cohort, antagonist protocol was slightly favored because it had lower OHSS in general and in patients with poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) according to previous publications.

Effect of large follicle puncture on IVF-ET outcome in patients with unsynchronized follicle maturationcan

Objective

This retrospective study was conducted to explore causes of unsynchronized follicular maturation (UFM) and analyze the effects of large follicle puncture on embryo quality and pregnancy outcome.

Methods

Clinical features and controlled ovulation hyperstimulation (COH) were compared between the puncture group (n = 48) and the control group (n = 2545). We analyzed the COH process with in vitro fertilization during fresh cycle embryo transfer with different clinical pregnancy outcomes. We compared clinical characteristics and COH process of patients in the clinical pregnancy (n = 774) and non-clinical pregnancy (n = 527) groups. Finally, factors related to pregnancy outcomes were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Age, level of estradiol on down-regulation day, and initial gonadotropin dose were significantly higher in the puncture group than in the control group. We detected significant differences in age, infertility, and body mass index (BMI) between the clinical and non-clinical pregnancy groups. Age, BMI, and endometrial thickness on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration were the independent factors influencing pregnancy outcome.

Conclusions

Patient’s age and level of anti-Müllerian hormone were the main factors causing UFM in patients undergoing COH. Large follicle puncture had no significant effect on pregnancy outcome.

Normalized second and fourth finger lengths in male and female partners and IVF cycle outcomes

RESEARCH QUESTION

Hox genes are involved in limb formation during normal embryological development. Their modulation by circulating maternal oestrogens and androgens determines the length of the second and fourth fingers of the adult hand. Do these same intrauterine hormone levels also determine fertility outcomes in the adult?

DESIGN

To study the association between the length of the second and fourth fingers of both partners undergoing IVF (as a surrogate of their previous intrauterine exposure to oestrogens and androgens) with treatment outcome after IVF, data corresponding to 256 IVF cycles were analysed. Finger length was normalized to the individual height.

RESULTS

In the female partner, a longer normalized second finger length of the left (2DLN) hand, reflecting a high intrauterine exposure to oestrogens, was independently and significantly (P = 0.011) associated with obtaining at least one top-quality embryo in a multivariate model. Conversely, in the male partner a longer normalized fourth finger length of the left hand (4DLN), reflecting a high intrauterine exposure to androgens, was independently and significantly (P = 0.032) associated with obtaining at least one top-quality embryo in the same multivariate model. In the female partner, 2DLN was inversely and significantly (P = 0.01) associated with achievement of pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Intrauterine exposure to high levels of oestrogens and androgens in females and males, respectively, predisposes to the production of higher-quality embryos under in-vitro conditions during adulthood. Paradoxically, this also seems to result in a lower pregnancy rate.

Neonatal outcomes following different ovarian stimulation protocols in fresh single embryo transfer

Previous studies suggested ovarian stimulation was associated with lower birth weight and higher risk of preterm delivery (PTD) from fresh embryo transfers (ETs). However, whether the increased risk differs between distinct ovarian stimulation protocols remains unknown. A retrospective cohort study of 38,220 singleton deliveries after fresh single ETs from 2007 to 2013 was conducted. Main outcomes were birth weight and gestational length. Compared with the natural cycle, all ovarian stimulation protocols were associated with a significantly increased risk for PTD, low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA). In subgroup analysis of maternal age under 35 years, luteal support using progesterone, and early cleavage ETs, the significant associations remained for LBW and SGA in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol and for LBW in GnRH agonist protocol. Ovarian stimulation using clomiphene citrate (CC) had the highest increased risks for LBW (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.58, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.43-1.73) and SGA (AOR, 1.65, 95% CI, 1.50-1.82) compared with natural cycles, and was further associated with PTD and cesarean section. These findings suggest ovarian stimulation was associated with lower birth weight, and CC may have adverse effect on neonatal outcomes in fresh cycles.

Towards complication-free assisted reproduction technology

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has vastly improved over the last 40 years, from a frequently unsuccessful and complicated procedure requiring hospital admission and routine laparoscopy to a fairly simple outpatient technique with relatively high success rates. However, it is important to stress that ART is not without risk and medical complications may still occur. The incidence of most of these ART-related complications is associated with how women undergo ovarian stimulation. For this reason, physicians should be aware that a carefully thought-out ovarian stimulation protocol and cycle monitoring are of paramount importance to maximise the success of the treatment while avoiding potentially life-threating complications to occur in this frequently otherwise healthy patient population. This review discusses the rationale and evolution of ovarian stimulation strategies over the years and the current developments towards finding a balance between the retrieval of a sufficient number of oocytes and ART-related complication prevention.

Transport IVF-ICSI: Results of a 25-year experience

Objective

This report presents a summary of the outcomes achieved at ART center FERTILAB in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with transport IVF-ICSI for 25 years (1990-2014).

Methods

This report included all patients submitted to oocyte retrieval for IVF-ICSI whose oocytes were transported from sites of aspiration located 0.5-58 kilometers away from the central laboratory. The numeric data herein reported were taken from annual reports submitted by our institution (Fertilab) and, for purposes of comparison, by all Argentinian centers to the Latin American Registry of Assisted Reproduction (RLA) within the same time period.

Results

From 1990 to 2014, 5091 aspirations followed by oocyte transport were performed in our center, resulting in 1258 pregnancies after fresh embryo transfers. The mean pregnancy/aspiration rate for the 25-year period was 24.71%. To validate the efficacy of our transport system, our results were compared to the outcomes of Argentinian centers reporting to RLA Argentina in the period ranging from 1990 to 2014. A total of 79,062 aspirations were performed, yielding 20,047 pregnancies and a pregnancy/aspiration rate of 25.36%. Delivery/aspirations rates were 15.34% for Fertilab patients and 14.79% for RLA Argentina centers.

Conclusion

The results showed that the differences in clinical outcomes between our center and the bulk of Argentinian centers were not statistically significant, indicating that oocyte transport does not decrease the effectiveness of IVF-ICSI and might be advantageous under certain circumstances.

Oral medications including clomiphene citrate or aromatase inhibitors with gonadotropins for controlled ovarian stimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation

BACKGROUND

Gonadotropins are the most commonly used medications for controlled ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilisation (IVF). However, they are expensive and invasive, and are associated with the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Recent calls for more patient-friendly regimens have led to growing interest in the use of clomiphene citrate (CC) and aromatase inhibitors with or without gonadotropins to reduce the burden of hormonal injections. It is currently unknown whether regimens using CC or aromatase inhibitors such as letrozole (Ltz) are as effective as gonadotropins alone.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness and safety of regimens including oral induction medication (such as clomiphene citrate or letrozole) versus gonadotropin-only regimens for controlled ovarian stimulation in IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases: Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Specialised Register (searched January 2017), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL CRSO), MEDLINE (1946 to January 2017), Embase (1980 to January 2017), and reference lists of relevant articles. We also searched trials registries ClinicalTrials.gov (clinicaltrials.gov/) and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (www.who.int/trialsearch/Default.aspx). We handsearched relevant conference proceedings.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcomes were live-birth rate (LBR) and OHSS.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three review authors independently assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias. We calculated risk ratios (RR) and Peto odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes. We analyzed the general population of women undergoing IVF treatment and (as a separate analysis) women identified as poor responders. We assessed the overall quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 27 studies in the updated review. Most of the new trials in the updated review included poor responders and evaluated Ltz protocols. We could perform meta-analysis with data from 22 studies including a total of 3599 participants. The quality of the evidence for different comparisons ranged from low to moderate. The main limitations in the quality of the evidence were risk of bias associated with poor reporting of study methods, and imprecision.In the general population of women undergoing IVF, it is unclear whether CC or Ltz used with or without gonadotropins compared to use of gonadotropins along with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or antagonists resulted in a difference in live birth (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.27, 4 RCTs, n = 493, I2 = 0%, low-quality evidence) or clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.16, 12 RCTs, n = 1998, I2 = 3%, moderate-quality evidence). This means that for a typical clinic with 23% LBR using a GnRH agonist regimen, switching to CC or Ltz protocols would be expected to result in LBRs between 15% and 30%. Clomiphene citrate or Ltz protocols were associated with a reduction in the incidence of OHSS (Peto OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.41, 5 RCTs, n = 1067, I2 = 0%, low-quality evidence). This means that for a typical clinic with 6% prevalence of OHSS associated with a GnRH regimen, switching to CC or Ltz protocols would be expected to reduce the incidence to between 0.5% and 2.5%. We found evidence of an increase in cycle cancellation rate with the CC protocol compared to gonadotropins in GnRH protocols (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.45, 9 RCTs, n = 1784, I2 = 61%, low-quality evidence). There was moderate quality evidence of a decrease in the mean number of ampoules used,) and mean number of oocytes collected with CC with or without gonadotropins compared to the gonadotropins in GnRH agonist protocols, though data were too heterogeneous to pool.Similarly, in the poor-responder population, it is unclear whether there was any difference in rates of live birth (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.49 to 2.79, 2 RCTs, n = 357, I2 = 38%, low-quality evidence) or clinical pregnancy (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.12, 8 RCTs, n = 1462, I2 = 0%, low-quality evidence) following CC or Ltz with or without gonadotropin versus gonadotropin and GnRH protocol. This means that for a typical clinic with a 5% LBR in the poor responders using a GnRH protocol, switching to CC or Ltz protocols would be expected to yield LBRs between 2% to 14%. There was low quality evidence that the CC or Ltz protocols were associated with an increase in the cycle cancellation rate (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.81, 10 RCTs, n = 1601, I2 = 64%) and moderate quality evidence of a decrease in the mean number of gonadotropin ampoules used and the mean number of oocytes collected, though data were too heterogeneous to pool. The adverse effects of these protocols were poorly reported. In addition, data on foetal abnormalities following use of CC or Ltz protocols are lacking.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no conclusive evidence indicating that clomiphene citrate or letrozole with or without gonadotropins differed from gonadotropins in GnRH agonist or antagonist protocols with respect to their effects on live-birth or pregnancy rates, either in the general population of women undergoing IVF treatment or in women who were poor responders. Use of clomiphene or letrozole led to a reduction in the amount of gonadotropins required and the incidence of OHSS. However, use of clomiphene citrate or letrozole may be associated with a significant increase in the incidence of cycle cancellations, as well as reductions in the mean number of oocytes retrieved in both the general IVF population and the poor responders. Larger, high-quality randomized trials are needed to reach a firm conclusion before they are adopted into routine clinical practice.

The value of delaying hCG administration to enable maturation of medium-sized follicles in patients undergoing superovulation for IVF/ICSI

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to determine whether continued stimulation of mature follicles to allow "catch up" growth of medium-sized follicles in assisted reproductive technology compromises the clinical pregnancy (CPR) and live birth (LBR) rates in IVF/ICSI cycles.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study reviewed 200 first IVF ± ICSI cycles out of a total of 340 cycles with complete data. Women underwent stimulation protocols with gonadotropins (Gn) and GnRH antagonist. Treatment cycles were divided into two groups (Gp): hCG administration delayed despite the presence of two mature follicles, defined as ≥ 18 mm [Gp1, n = 79] and hCG administration given when there were two mature follicles [Gp2, n = 121].

RESULTS

The patients in Gp1 were significantly younger than those in Gp2 [32.9 (4.5) vs. 34.3 (4.8), p = 0.04] and needed a median of one more day of superovulation before ovulation was triggered with hCG. The extra days was associated with the use of 450 [75-2025] more Gn, such that at the time the hCG was administered, patient's in group 1 had developed significantly greater number of follicles ≥ 18 mm [mean (SD), 4.9 (1.8) vs. 3.4 (1.7), p < 0.0001]. The clinical pregnancy (48.1 vs. 38.0%, [OR (95% CI)] [1.6 (1.0-2.5), p = 0.09]) and live birth (43.0 vs. 35.5%, [1.4 (0.9-2.3), p = 0.21]) rates per cycle started were not significantly different between the two groups. Forward stepwise logistic regression showed that only maternal age (p = 0.04) influenced clinical pregnancy rates (OR = 0.88, CI 0.78-0.99) and only the number of days for superovulation influenced live birth rates (OR = 0.65, CI 0.486-0.869).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that delaying hCG administration to allow further growth of the medium-sized follicles added further days of superovulation and cost without improvement in CPR and LBR.

GnRH Agonist Triggering of Ovulation Replacing hCG: A 30-Year-Old Revolution in IVF Practice Led by Rambam Health Care Campus

Final oocyte maturation is a crucial step in in vitro fertilization, traditionally achieved with a single bolus of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) given 36 hours before oocyte retrieval. This bolus exposes the patient to the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), particularly in the face of ovarian hyper-response to gonadotropins. Although multiple measures were developed to prevent OHSS, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist triggering is now globally recognized as the best approach to achieve this goal. The first report on the use of GnRH agonist as ovulation trigger in the context of OHSS prevention came from Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel and appeared in 1988. This review details the events that culminated in worldwide acceptance of this measure and describes its benefit in the field of assisted reproductive technology.

Comparisons of GnRH antagonist protocol versus GnRH agonist long protocol in patients with normal ovarian reserve: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) protocol and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) long protocol in patients with normal ovarian reserve.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed (1992-2016), Cochrane Library (1999-2016), Web of Science (1950-2016), Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM, 1979-2016), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, 1994-2016). Any randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared GnRH-ant protocol and GnRH-a long protocol in patients with normal ovarian reserve were included, and data were extracted independently by two reviewers. The meta-analysis was performed by Revman 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine RCTs (6399 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. Stimulation days (mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = -0.8 [-1.36, -0.23], P = 0.006), gonadotrophin (Gn) dosage (MD [95% CI] = -3.52 [-5.56, -1.48], P = 0.0007), estradiol (E2) level on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration (MD [95% CI] = -365.49 [-532.93, -198.05], P<0.0001), the number of oocytes retrieved (MD [95% CI] = -1.41 [-1.84, -0.99], P<0.00001), the embryos obtained (MD [95% CI] = -0.99 [-1.38, -0.59], P<0.00001), incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (OR [95% CI] = 0.69 [0.57, 0.83], P<0.0001) were statistically significantly lower in GnRH-ant protocol than GnRH-a long protocol. However, the clinical pregnancy rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.90 [0.80, 1.01], P = 0.08), ongoing pregnancy rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.88 [0.77, 1.00], P = 0.05), live birth rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.95 [0.74, 1.09], P = 0.27), miscarriage rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.98 [0.69, 1.40], P = 0.93), and cycle cancellation rate (OR [95% CI] = 0.86 [0.52, 1.44], P = 0.57) showed no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

GnRH-ant protocol substantially decreased the incidence of OHSS without influencing the pregnancy rate and live birth rate compared to GnRH-a long protocol among patients with normal ovarian reserve.

Overview of elagolix for the treatment of endometriosis

INTRODUCTION

Suppression of sex-steroid secretion is required in a variety of gynecological conditions. This can be achieved using gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists that bind pituitary gonadotropin receptors and antagonize the link-receptor of endogenous GnRH, inhibiting the mechanism of GnRH pulsatility. On the other hand, GnRH antagonists immediately reduce gonadal steroid levels, avoiding the initial stimulatory phase of the agonists. Potential benefits of GnRH antagonists over GnRH agonists include a rapid onset and reversibility of action. Older GnRH antagonists are synthetic peptides, obtained by modifications of certain amino acids in the native GnRH sequence. They require subcutaneous injections, implantation of long-acting depots. The peptide structure is responsible for histamine-related adverse events and the tendency to elicit hypersensitivity reactions.

AREAS COVERED

Research has worked towards the development of non-peptidic molecules exerting antagonist action on GnRH. They are available for oral administration and may have a more beneficial safety profile in comparison with peptide GnRH antagonists. This article focuses on the data of the literature about elagolix, a novel non-peptidic GnRHantagonist, in the treatment of endometriosis.

EXPERT OPINION

Elagolix demonstrated efficacy in the management of endometriosis-associated pain and had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate its non-inferiority in comparison with other endometriosis's treatments.

Short versus Long Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue Suppression Protocols in IVF/ICSI Cycles in Patients of Various Age Ranges

Objective

To compare the two GnRH-a protocols (long GnRH-a protocol and short GnRH-a protocol) for ovarian stimulation in IVF/ICSI cycles in patients of various age ranges.

Methods

A total of 5662 IVF-ET/ICSI cycles from 2010 to 2013 were retrospectively identified. The cycles were divided into two groups: a long protocol group and short protocol group. In each group, the patients were divided into four age ranges: <31 years, 31 to 35 years, 36 to 40 years, and >40 years. The duration of stimulation, total dose of Gn, implantation rate and pregnancy rate were compared.

Results

The total dose of Gn was significantly higher, and the duration of stimulation was significantly longer, in the long protocol group than in the short protocol group for all age ranges (P<0.05). If the patients were of the same age range, the number of oocytes retrieved, MII oocytes, and high-quality embryos in the long protocol group were all significantly greater than those in the short protocol group (P<0.05). In the long protocol group, the clinical pregnancy rates of the four age ranges were 52.76%, 44.33%, 36.15% and 13.33%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the short protocol group (33.33%, 24.58%, 22.49% and 8.72%, respectively; P<0.05). The same trend was also found in the implantation rates of the four age ranges. As the age increased, the clinical pregnancy and implantation rates, as well as the number of oocytes retrieved, MII oocytes, and high-quality embryos, of the long protocol group significantly decreased (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that regardless of patient age, the long protocol was superior to the short protocol in terms of the number of retrieved oocytes, as well as the implantation and pregnancy rates.

Live births achieved via IVF are increased by improvements in air quality and laboratory environment

Infertility is a common disease, which causes many couples to seek treatment with assisted reproduction techniques. Many factors contribute to successful assisted reproduction technique outcomes. One important factor is laboratory environment and air quality. Our facility had the unique opportunity to compare consecutively used, but separate assisted reproduction technique laboratories, as a result of a required move. Environmental conditions were improved by strategic engineering designs. All other aspects of the IVF laboratory, including equipment, physicians, embryologists, nursing staff and protocols, were kept constant between facilities. Air quality testing showed improved air quality at the new IVF site. Embryo implantation (32.4% versus 24.3%; P < 0.01) and live birth (39.3% versus 31.8%, P < 0.05) were significantly increased in the new facility compared with the old facility. More patients met clinical criteria and underwent mandatory single embryo transfer on day 5 leading to both a reduction in multiple gestation pregnancies and increased numbers of vitrified embryos per patient with supernumerary embryos available. Improvements in IVF laboratory conditions and air quality had profound positive effects on laboratory measures and patient outcomes. This study further strengthens the importance of the laboratory environment and air quality in the success of an IVF programme.

Gonadotropin surge-inhibiting/attenuating factors: a review of current evidence, potential applications, and future directions for research

Animal studies in the 1980s suggested the existence of an ovarian hormone, termed gonadotropin surge-inhibiting/attenuating factor (GnSIF/AF), that modulates pituitary secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). Given the importance of identifying regulatory factors of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and the accumulating data suggesting its existence, we conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase to identify articles related to GnSIF/AF. The search generated 161 publications, of which 97 were included in this study. Several attempts have been made to identify and characterize this hormone and several candidates have been identified, but the protein sequences of these putative GnSIF/AF factors differ widely from one study to another. In addition, while the RF-amide RFRP-3 is known foremost as a neuropeptide, some research supports an ovarian origin for this non-steroidal hormone, thereby suggesting a role for RFRP-3 either as a co-modulator of GnSIF/AF or as a gonadotropin-inhibiting factor in the hypothalamus (GnIH). Discovery of the KNDy neurons that modulate GnRH secretion, on the other hand, further encourages the search for substance(s) that modulate their activity and that indirectly affect LH secretion and the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. While it has remained an elusive hormone, GnSIF/AF holds many potential applications for contraception, in vitro fertilization, and/or cancer as well as for understanding polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic diseases, and/or pubertal development. In this review, we rigorously examine the available evidence regarding the existence of GnSIF/AF, previous attempts at its identification, limitations to its discovery, future directions of research, and potential clinical applications.

Comparison of GnRH agonist, GnRH antagonist, and GnRH antagonist mild protocol of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in good prognosis patients

The reports on how to stimulate the ovaries for oocyte retrieval in good prognosis patients are contradictory and often favor one type of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). For this reason, we retrospectively analyzed data from IVF/ICSI cycles carried out at our IVF Unit in good prognosis patients (aged <38 years, first and second attempts of IVF/ICSI, more than 3 oocytes retrieved) to elucidate which type of COH is optimal at our condition. The included patients were undergoing COH using GnRH agonist, GnRH antagonist or GnRH antagonist mild protocol in combination with gonadotrophins. We found significant differences in the average number of retrieved oocytes, immature oocytes, fertilized oocytes, embryos, transferred embryos, embryos frozen per cycle, and cycles with embryo freezing between studied COH protocols. Although there were no differences in live birth rate (LBR), miscarriages, and ectopic pregnancies between compared protocols, pregnancy rate was significantly higher in GnRH antagonist mild protocol in comparison with both GnRH antagonist and GnRH agonist protocols and cumulative LBR per cycle was significantly higher in GnRH antagonist mild protocol in comparison to GnRH agonist protocol. Our data show that GnRH antagonist mild protocol of COH could be the best method of choice in good prognosis patients.

Serum Oestradiol Pattern during Coasting is Different in Antagonist Cycles Compared with Long Agonist Cycles in In Vitro Fertilisation

BACKGROUND

GnRH agonists and antagonists have different mechanism of action, and therefore serum estradiol levels might differ during coasting in IVF.

AIMS

To compare the change in serum oestradiol levels after withholding the gonadotropins for coasting between long agonist and antagonist cycles.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

Antagonist and long agonist cycles, in which coasting was performed, were analysed in this retrospective analysis. Antagonist cycles (n=50) were compared with long agonist cycles (n=52) with respect to daily serum oestradiol levels following withholding of gonadotropins.

RESULTS

The pattern of change in serum oestradiol was different between groups; it increased on the first day by 11.2% and decreased thereafter on the second and third days in the agonist group. However, it began to decrease from the first day in the antagonist group. Therefore, peak serum oestradiol levels were significantly higher in the agonist group than in the antagonist group (mean±standard deviation; 5798±1748 vs 5104±1351 pg/mL). The duration of coasting was shorter in the antagonist group compared with that in the agonist group (mean±standard deviation; 2.60±1.40 vs 1.96±0.88 days).

CONCLUSION

Serum oestradiol pattern during coasting is different in antagonist cycles compared with long agonist cycles in in vitro fertilisation.

The addition of gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist to routine luteal phase support in intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer cycles: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of addition of different dosages of gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) to routine luteal phase support (LPS) on implantation and pregnancy rates.

STUDY DESIGN

Three hundred infertile couples who were treated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) following controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with long luteal GnRH agonist protocol were enrolled. All women received 600 mg/day vaginal micronized progesterone plus 4 mg 17β estradiol for LPS starting from the day of oocyte retrieval. Patients (n=300) were randomized into three treatment groups. Group A (n=100) received leuprolide acetate 1 mg s.c. injection 3 days after ET in addition to routine LPS. Group B (n=100) received two sequential doses of leuprolide acetate 1 mg s.c. injections 3 and 6 days after ET in addition to routine LPS. Control group (n=100) received only the routine LPS.

RESULTS

A total of 279 patients completed the study. The groups were comparable in terms of baseline demographic parameters including age, duration of infertility and day 3 levels of FSH and estradiol. The cycle parameters of the groups were also comparable regarding the E2 level on day of hCG, number of retrieved oocytes, number of day 3 embryos, number of embryos transferred, and endometrial thickness on both days of OPU and ET. The implantation rates were similar in between the Groups A, B, and control group (20.7% and 25.8% vs. 13.3%, respectively; P=.099). The clinical pregnancy rates and miscarriage rates were similar in between the groups. The ongoing pregnancy rates were 27.4% in control group, 36% in Group A and 42.9% in Group B (P=.093). The OHSS rates were comparable in between the groups. The multiple pregnancy rates were significantly higher in Groups A and B than in control group (12% and 17.9% vs. 4.2%, respectively; P=.014).

CONCLUSIONS

The implantation, clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy and multiple pregnancy rates seem to be increased with the addition of GnRH-a to routine luteal phase support.

Targeted disruption of Nrg1 in granulosa cells alters the temporal progression of oocyte maturation

Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is induced in granulosa cells by LH and acts on granulosa and cumulus cells during ovulation. In this study, we sought to determine the role of NRG1 in oocyte maturation by generating a granulosa cell-specific Nrg1 knockout mouse (Nrg1(flox/flox);Cyp19a1Cre mice [gcNrg1KO]). In the gcNrg1KO mice, meiosis was induced 2 hours earlier than in control mice. More than 60% of the oocytes in the mutant mice spontaneously re-resumed meiosis beyond the MII stage. The percentage of successful fertilization was comparable in oocytes of both genotypes collected at 14 or 16 hours after human chorionic gonadotropin injection but was significantly lower in oocytes of the gcNrg1KO mice at 18 or 20 hours. The number of pups per litter was significantly decreased in gcNrg1KO mice. To determine the molecular events associated with the abnormal progression of meiosis in the gcNrg1KO mouse oocytes, the defects of cumulus/granulosa cell functions were analyzed. The expression of genes involved in luteinization and cumulus expansion was significantly higher at 2 hours after human chorionic gonadotropin injection in the gcNrg1KO mice; this was related to abnormal activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphorylation of connexin-43 in cumulus cells. Changes in connexin-43 by PKC might lead to early meiotic resumption of oocytes in gcNrg1KO mice. We conclude that NRG1 is induced by LH in mural granulosa cells and exerts an important regulatory role in oocyte meiotic maturation and competence by reducing PKC activation in cumulus cells and preventing premature progression to the MII stage that leads to abnormal fertilization and fertility.

In vitro fertilization in Japan - early days of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer and future prospects for assisted reproductive technology

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) has been essential in the treatment of infertility. The world's first IVF-ET baby was born in 1978 based on the technique developed by Dr. Robert Edwards and Dr. Patrick Steptoe. In Japan, the first IVF-ET birth was reported in 1983 by Prof. Masakuni Suzuki at Tohoku University School of Medicine. IVF-ET is a procedure used to achieve pregnancy that consists of extracting oocytes from an infertile woman, fertilizing them in vitro, and transferring fertilized eggs into the patient's uterine cavity (Fig. 1). Since the first report of successful IVF-ET, numerous techniques related to ART, such as cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos, gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), and microinsemination, have been developed and refined (Table 1). Herein we describe the history of basic research in IVF-ET that led to human applications, how the birth of the first IVF-ET baby was achieved in Japan, the current status of ART in Japan, issues related to ART, and future prospects for ART.

Influence of vitamin D levels on in vitro fertilization outcomes in donor-recipient cycles

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the role of vitamin D in reproduction by examining the relationship between recipient vitamin D levels and pregnancy rates in donor-recipient IVF cycles.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Academic tertiary care center.

PATIENT(S)

Ninety-nine recipients of egg donation at University of Southern California Fertility.

INTERVENTION(S)

Serum was collected from egg donor recipients before ET and was tested for vitamin D levels [25(OH)D].

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Clinical pregnancy as defined by sonographic presence of a heartbeat at 7-8 weeks of gestation.

RESULT(S)

In a diverse population of 99 recipients (53% Caucasian, 20% Asian, 16% Hispanic, 7% African American), adjusted clinical pregnancy rates were lower among vitamin D-deficient recipients than among vitamin D-replete recipients (37% vs. 78%). Live-birth rates were 31% among vitamin D-deficient recipients, compared with 59% among vitamin D-replete recipients. There were no differences in adjusted clinical pregnancy and live-birth rates among recipients who were vitamin D deficient [25(OH)D<20 ng/mL] vs. among those who were vitamin D insufficient [20 ng/mL ≤ 25(OH)D<30 ng/mL].

CONCLUSION(S)

Nonreplete vitamin D status [25(OH)D<30 ng/mL] was associated with lower pregnancy rates in recipients of egg donation. Since the oocyte donor-recipient model is able to separate the impact of vitamin D on oocyte vs. endometrium, these data suggest that the effects of vitamin D may be mediated through the endometrium.

[GnRH agonist triggering in IVF and luteal phase support in women at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ovulation triggering by agonists in antagonists IVF cycles with fresh embryo transfer in modulating low HCG dose for luteal phase support in patients at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In an observational study from September 2011 to March 2013, we triggered with agonist 107 cycles with OHSS risk, we initially triggered 39 cycles with 2 doses of Triptorelin 0.1 mg. Injection of 1500 IU HCG was performed one hour after the pick up and a second injection of 1500 IU was made 5 days later (group 1) combined with 400 mg of natural progesterone vaginally. In the following 68 cycles we removed the second HCG injection and increased to 600 mg vaginal progesterone associated with E2 4 mg orally (group 2).

RESULTS

Group 1: the ongoing pregnancy rate and birth rate in fresh cycle is respectively 37.1% and 34.3% and the cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate and birth rate per patient is 43.6% and 41%. We recorded three late onset OHSS in pregnant women. Group 2: ongoing pregnancy rate in fresh cycle is 39.6%, the current cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate per patient was 45.6%. We observed a case of early onset OHSS.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Triggering with agonist and administering an injection of 1500 IU of HCG the day of the pick up appears to be effective in women at risk of OHSS. The exclusion of all OHSS is still not reached. The search for the best protocol and its indications should continue.

Current and future applications of GnRH, kisspeptin and neurokinin B analogues

Reproductive hormones affect all stages of life from gamete production, fertilization, fetal development and parturition, neonatal development and puberty through to adulthood and senescence. The reproductive hormone cascade has, therefore, been the target for the development of numerous drugs that modulate its activity at many levels. As the central regulator of the cascade, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists have found extensive applications in treating a wide range of hormone-dependent diseases, such as precocious puberty, prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, as well as being an essential component of in vitro fertilization protocols. The neuroendocrine peptides that regulate GnRH neurons, kisspeptin and neurokinin B, have also been identified as therapeutic targets, and novel agonists and antagonists are being developed as modulators of the cascade upstream of GnRH. Here, we review the development and applications of analogues of the major neuroendocrine peptide regulators of the reproductive hormone cascade: GnRH, kisspeptin and neurokinin B.

Using a mild stimulation protocol combined with clomiphene citrate and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone to determine the optimal number of oocytes needed to achieve pregnancy and reduce the concerns of patients

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate how many oocytes are needed to achieve an adequate pregnancy rate per 1 oocyte retrieval cycle in mild ovarian stimulation.

METHODS

This protocol consisted of clomiphene citrate and recombinant-follicle-stimulating hormone injection without a gonadotropin-releasing hormone-antagonist. From January 2009 through December 2010, there were 1,227 women who underwent assisted reproductive technologies treatment with mild stimulation at the Sugiyama Clinic. The overall pregnancy rate per single oocyte retrieval cycle was evaluated using both fresh and cryopreserved-and-thawed embryos according to the retrieved oocyte number.

RESULTS

According to the retrieved oocyte number, a total of 1,227 cycles were divided into 4 groups: group A (the oocyte number <4; 433 cycles), group B (the oocyte number = 4, 5; 317 cycles), group C (the oocyte number = 6, 7; 206 cycles), and group D (the oocyte number ≥8; 271 cycles). The overall pregnancy rates for groups A, B, C, and D were 22.2, 42.9, 52.4, and 56.0 %, respectively, the rates for groups C and D were significantly higher than that for group A (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal number of retrieved oocytes proved to be between 6 and 7 for the patients who received our milder stimulation protocol and experienced no reduction in their overall pregnancy rate.

Safety aspects of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists in ovarian stimulation procedures: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and health of children born

The safety of ovarian stimulation procedures or the procedure of assisted reproduction in general can be estimated by various parameters. Two of the most important are the health of children born after the procedure and the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The latter is important because it is the most severe, potentially life-threatening complication of any stimulation procedure. The use of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists in ovarian stimulation protocols has had no impact on the health of children born. This was proven in 227 children born after the use of cetrorelix and in 73 children born after the use of ganirelix. To analyse the incidence of OHSS and the impact of GnRH antagonists on clinical pregnancy rates compared with the long protocol, a meta-analysis was done. This showed a reduction of OHSS with the use of cetrorelix. Furthermore, when compared with the long protocol, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates were not significantly reduced with the use of cetrorelix. Taken together, the use of GnRH antagonists are safe with regard to children's health. The incidence of OHSS does not increase with ganirelix, and a reduction can be expected with cetrorelix.

Ovarian stimulation: from basic science to clinical application

Treatment for infertility, including ovarian stimulation, was first introduced almost 100 years ago. At this time, radiation therapy became an established treatment, and it was only some decades later that the problem of radiation-induced cancer emerged. Non-human gonadotrophins, such as pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG), and human pituitary gonadotrophins (HPG), were commonly used for hormonal stimulation procedures. However, use of PMSG led to antibody formation, and it was therefore only useful for the first treatment cycle. HPG produced good results, but its use came to an end in the late 1980s when it was linked to the development of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The first hormonal product from human menopausal urine to be used was human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG), followed later by purified preparations of this product. All of these preparations contained a high percentage of unknown urinary proteins, which interfered with batch-to-batch consistency. This changed with the introduction of recombinant gonadotrophins, produced from an immortalized/standardized mammalian cell line (CHO). More recent developments include the introduction of long-acting gonadotrophin formulations. The development of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues and more recently the use of GnRH antagonists has helped to improve ovarian stimulation protocols by optimizing their efficacy, and making them easier to administer.

Effect of a low dose of gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist on in vitro fertilization outcomes

PURPOSE

This study aims to determine whether a low dose of the gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist, cetrorelix, prevents a premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and affects in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes compared to the standard dose of 0.25 mg/day.

METHODS

In this study, 45 IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients were stimulated with recombinant follicle stimulation hormone from day 2 of the cycle. Cetrorelix was injected daily from day 6 of gonadotropin administration. Twenty-two patients received cetrorelix at a dose of 0.25 mg/day, whereas 23 participants received half dose.

RESULTS

The mean consumption of gonadotropins was significantly higher in patients receiving 0.25 mg/day of cetrorelix (2,213 vs. 1,350 U; p = 0.046). The clinical pregnancy rates were similar in both groups (31.8 vs. 47.8 %; p = 0.273). Premature LH surge was detected in 9.1 % of the patients receiving cetrorelix 0.25 mg/day and in 13 % of the patients receiving cetrorelix 0.125 mg/day (p > 0.05). The difference between two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that there is no difference between a cetrorelix dose of 0.125 or 0.25 mg/day in preventing premature LH rise during ovarian stimulation for IVF.

Depot versus daily administration of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist protocols for pituitary down regulation in assisted reproduction cycles

BACKGROUND

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) is commonly used to switch off (down regulate) the pituitary gland and thus suppress ovarian activity in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Other fertility drugs (gonadotrophins) are then used to stimulate ovulation in a controlled manner. Among the various types of pituitary down regulation protocols in use, the long protocol achieves the best clinical pregnancy rate. The long protocol requires GnRHa administration until suppression of ovarian activity occurs, within approximately 14 days. GnRHa can be used either as daily low-dose injections or through a single injection containing higher doses of the drug (depot). It is unclear which of these two forms of administration is best, and whether single depot administration may require higher doses of gonadotrophins.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness and safety of a single depot dose of GHRHa versus daily GnRHa doses in women undergoing IVF.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases: Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Trials Register (searched July 2012), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1966 to July 2012), EMBASE (1980 to July 2012) and LILACS (1982 to July 2012). We also screened the reference lists of articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs comparing depot and daily administration of GnRHa for long protocols in IVF treatment cycles in couples with any cause of infertility, using various methods of ovarian stimulation. The primary review outcomes were live birth or ongoing pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Other outcomes included number of oocytes retrieved, miscarriage, multiple pregnancy, number of gonadotrophin (FSH) units used for ovarian stimulation, duration of gonadotrophin treatment, cost and patient convenience.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed study quality. For dichotomous outcomes, we calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) per woman randomised. Where appropriate, we pooled studies.

MAIN RESULTS

Sixteen studies were eligible for inclusion (n = 1811 participants), 12 (n = 1366 participants) of which were suitable for meta-analysis. No significant heterogeneity was detected.There were no significant differences between depot GnRHa and daily GnRHa in live birth/ongoing pregnancy rates (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.31, seven studies, 873 women), but substantial differences could not be ruled out. Thus for a woman with a 24% chance of achieving a live birth or ongoing pregnancy using daily GnRHa injections, the corresponding chance using GnRHa depot would be between 18% and 29%.There was no significant difference between the groups in clinical pregnancy rate (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.23, 11 studies, 1259 women). For a woman with a 30% chance of achieving clinical pregnancy using daily GnRHa injections, the corresponding chance using GnRHa depot would be between 25% and 35%.There was no significant difference between the groups in the rate of severe OHSS (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.29 to 2.42, five studies, 570 women), but substantial differences could not be ruled out. For a woman with a 3% chance of severe OHSS using daily GnRHa injections, the corresponding risk using GnRHa depot would be between 1% and 6%.Compared to women using daily GnRHa, those on depot administration required significantly more gonadotrophin units for ovarian stimulation (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.26, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.43, 11 studies, 1143 women) and a significantly longer duration of gonadotrophin use (mean difference (MD) 0.65, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.84, 10 studies, 1033 women).Study quality was unclear due to poor reporting. Only four studies reported live births as an outcome and only five described adequate methods for concealment of allocation.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence of a significant difference between depot and daily GnRHa use for pituitary down regulation in IVF cycles using the long protocol, but substantial differences could not be ruled out. Since depot GnRHa requires more gonadotrophins and a longer duration of use, it may increase the overall costs of IVF treatment.