1,500 IU human chorionic gonadotropin administered at oocyte retrieval rescues the luteal phase when gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist is used for ovulation induction: a prospective, randomized, controlled study

Objective To prospectively assess the reproductive outcome with a small bolus of hCG administered on the day of oocyte retrieval after ovulation induction with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa). Design Prospective, randomized trial. Setting Three hospital-based IVF clinics. Patient(s) Three hundred five IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients after a GnRH antagonist protocol. Intervention(s) Ovulation induction was performed with either 10,000 IU hCG or 0.5 mg GnRHa (buserelin) supplemented with 1,500 IU hCG on the day of oocyte retrieval. Main Outcome Measure(s) Reproductive outcome in the two groups. Result(s) No significant differences were seen regarding positive hCG/ET rate (48% and 48%), ongoing pregnancy rate (26% and 33%), delivery rate (24% and 31%), and rate of early pregnancy loss (21% and 17%) between the GnRHa and 10,000 IU hCG groups, respectively. Conclusion(s) A small bolus of hCG in the GnRHa group secured the luteal phase, resulting in a comparable reproductive outcome in the two groups. However, a nonsignificant difference of 7% in delivery rates justifies further studies to refine the use of GnRHa for ovulation induction.