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Growth hormone co-treatment within a GnRH agonist long protocol in patients with poor ovarian response: a prospective, randomized, clinical trial

  • Assisted Reproduction
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The efficacy of growth hormone co-stimulation to long luteal GnRHa regimen in poor responders to COH for IVF was assessed.

Methods

This prospective, randomized, clinical trial was performed in a private assisted reproduction center. The study involved 61 patients who responded poorly to high dose gonadotropin treatment in their first cycles in the same center. Study group of 31 patients were given growth hormone co-treatment, daily subcutaneous injection of 4 mg from day 21 of preceding cycle along with GnRHa, until the day of hCG. Control group of 30 patients received the same treatment protocol except the growth hormone co-treatment. Primary end-point of the study was the number of oocytes fertilized whereas the pregnancy rate was the secondary end-point.

Results

Patients’ demographic characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups. 2PNs in growth hormone co-treatment group was significantly higher than the control group (4.4 ± 1.8 vs 1.5 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). Although more pregnancies and more clinical pregnancies with fetal heart beat were achieved in growth hormone group (12/31), compared to the control group (6/30), the difference did not reach to statistical significance.

Conclusion

Poor responder women undergoing repeated assisted reproduction treatment and co-stimulated with GH achieve more oocytes, higher fertilization rate if growth hormone started in the luteal phase of previous cycle, as compared with women of the same status treated with GnRHa long protocol. The study was unable to show that clinical pregnancy rate was increased significantly.

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Acknowledgement

We are grateful to Prof. Hulusi Bulent Zeyneloglu for his great support and effort for preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GATA School of Medicine, 06018, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Tansu Kucuk

  2. Ren-Tıp ART Center, Bursa, Turkey

    Hakan Kozinoglu & Ayten Kaba

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  1. Tansu Kucuk
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  2. Hakan Kozinoglu
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Correspondence to Tansu Kucuk.

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Kucuk, T., Kozinoglu, H. & Kaba, A. Growth hormone co-treatment within a GnRH agonist long protocol in patients with poor ovarian response: a prospective, randomized, clinical trial. J Assist Reprod Genet 25, 123–127 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9212-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9212-7

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