Does the serum E2 level change following coasting treatment strategy to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome impact cycle outcomes during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and in vitro fertilization procedure?

OBJECTIVE

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) remains as a clinical problem for hyperresponder patients during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and in vitro fertilization (COH-IVF) procedure. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the COH-IVF outcomes in hyperresponder patients managed with coasting treatment strategy for OHSS prevention regarding the establishment of clinical pregnancy as an endpoint of the treatment cycle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records related to the COH-IVF outcome in 119 hyperresponder patients who have exhibited a serum estradiol level greater than or equal to 3000 pg/mL were evaluated. The study was conducted on a total of 119 patients, 98 of whom have been treated by coasting or coasting with GnRH antagonist co-treatment strategies, while the remaining 21 women (control group) have not been managed with coasting treatment. The COH and IVF-ET outcomes in the 119 patients were compared based on the coasting treatment situation.

RESULTS

Among the women who received coasting treatment, the number of patients demonstrating E2 level decrement and also E2 level decrement rate after coasting were similar between patients with and without clinical pregnancy. Total gonadotropin dose, 2PN number, embryo number, and fertilization rate were significantly higher in the patients with a clinical pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

The coasting treatment is a clinically useful preventive strategy for OHSS avoidance. GnRH antagonist co-treatment decreases the duration of coasting although any detrimental or ameliorating impact of this effect on pregnancy rates have not been seen. The E2 level decrement or increment following coasting treatment seems not to be related to cycle outcomes.