Recombinant LH supplementation to recombinant FSH during the final days of controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. A multicentre, prospective, randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND The purpose of this multicentre, multinational trial was to study whether rLH supplementation to recombinant FSH (rFSH) during the late follicular phase increased pregnancy rates. METHODS After down-regulation with nafarelin, 526 women were randomized on Day 1 of stimulation to use either rFSH (Gonal-F) alone (n = 261) or to continue after Day 6 of stimulation with both rFSH (Gonal-F) and rLH (Luveris) (n = 265) from Day 6. The starting dose of rFSH was 150–225 IU/day according to age below or above 35 years. RESULTS Ongoing pregnancy rate at week 10–12 was 28.7% after rFSH alone and 27.2% after rFSH + rLH. This showed no evidence of a difference. Administration of rLH significantly (P< 0.001) increased serum LH. Ongoing pregnancy rates in patients with low LH levels (