April - June 2012, Volume 8, Issue 2

Bastu E, Baysal B

The Effect of GnRH Agonist versus GnRH Antagonist on Pregnancy Rate

Acta Endo (Buc) 2012, 8 (2): 249-256
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2012.249

Context. Comparison of GnRH analogues and their impact on IVF treatment to improve pregnancy outcome.\r\nObjective. To compare the effects of GnRH agonists and GnRH antagonists on pregnancy rates.\r\nDesign. A total of 458 women who had embryo transfers completed were analyzed retrospectively in a university\r\nhospital setting.\r\nMethods. Comparative data were gathered on pregnancy rates, FSH dosage, and number of follicles, retrieved oocytes\r\nand embryos.\r\nResults. The use of GnRH agonist showed a strong association with the number of follicles (GnRH antagonist: 11.45; GnRH agonist: 15.17), oocytes retrieved (GnRH antagonist: 10.66; GnRH agonist: 13.68) and embryos transferred (GnRH antagonist: 2.54; GnRH agonist: 2.89) (p<0.01). The use of GnRH antagonist showed a significant association with &#946;-\r\nhCG > 5 mIU/mL pregnancy (GnRH antagonist 30.8%; GnRH agonist: 21.8%) (p<0.05). Ongoing pregnancy rates between\r\nthe two GnRH analogues showed no statistically significant differences (GnRH antagonist 72.1%; GnRH agonist: 64.1%)\r\n(p>0.05).\r\nConclusion. On the basis of current evidence, it is still unclear which GnRH analogue is the first choice for achieving a higher rate of pregnancy.

Keywords: GnRH analogues; GnRH antagonist; GnRH agonist; in vitro\r\nfertilization

Correspondence: Ercan Bastu, M.D, Istanbul University School of Medicine, Dpt of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Infertility, Capa 34093, Istanbul, Turkey, T: +90 532 413 4195, Email: ercan.bastu@istanbul.edu.tr.