Clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome. Preventing multifollicular development.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficiency and comparison of two different protocols, human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) plus gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRH-a) and low-dose hMG to reduce multifollicular development in clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective comparative and pilot study in 20 patients for 31 cycles. The first group (n = 10) was treated with buserelin acetate, 600 micrograms/d, for six weeks before ovulation induction with hMG in conventional doses for 14 cycles. The other group (n = 10) was treated only with low-dose hMG for 17 cycles. All cycles were compared in terms of the number of follicles per cycle, cycles human chorionic gonadotropin withheld, estradiol level on ovulation day, treatment duration and number of ampules used per cycle. In addition, the outcome of cycles and complications of multifollicular development, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and multiple pregnancy were determined.

RESULTS

As compared with the GnRH-a + hMG protocol, the low-dose hMG protocol yielded less multifollicular (57.1% vs. 17.6%) and more monofollicular (35.7% vs. 70.6%) development. Consequently, less OHSS (21.4% vs. 0%) and multiple pregnancy (10% vs. 0%) occurred in the low-dose group.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose hMG therapy has distinct advantages in eliminating multifollicular development and related complications in clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS patients. The addition of GnRH-a to gonadotropins does not change the incidence of multifollicular development.