Luteinizing response to human chorionic gonadotropin does not predict outcome in gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist-suppressed/human menopausal gonadotropin-stimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine if early luteinizing potential in gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a)-suppressed/human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG)-stimulated IVF cycles is predictive of cycle outcome.

DESIGN, PATIENTS: The study was a prospective evaluation of 41 women beginning a GnRH-a-suppressed/hMG-stimulated IVF cycle.

SETTING

The in vitro fertilization program of a tertiary care institution was the study setting.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measures were (1) estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration and the following day and (2) the ovarian response to ovulation induction and clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Ten of the 41 women achieved a clinical pregnancy (24.4%). There was no significant difference in progesterone (P) levels on the day of or the day following hCG administration between the pregnant and the nonpregnant groups. Both groups exhibited a significant rise in P level in response to hCG. There was no significant difference in E2 levels on the day of hCG between the two groups. The serum E2 did not rise significantly in response to hCG in either group. Patients who became pregnant had significantly more oocytes retrieved, fertilized, cleaved, and transferred.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical response and outcome in GnRH-a-suppressed/hMG-stimulated IVF cycles are not predicted by early luteinizing potential as indicated by the response of E2 or P to hCG.