The benefit of human chorionic gonadotropin supplementation throughout the secretory phase of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles

Objective: To assess whether supplementation with hCG throughout the secretory phase of hormonally modulated cycles of frozen-thawed embryos might positively affect the outcome of such cycles. Design: Prospective, randomized controlled trial. Setting: University teaching hospital. Patient(s): Patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles. Intervention(s): Patients were randomly divided into two groups by the last digit of their identification number. Group A received our standard protocol for endometrial preparation, whereas group B patients were given an additional 250 μg of recombinant hCG on day of P initiation, the day of embryo transfer, and 6 days later. Throughout the cycle, and to compare between the groups, serial ultrasound examinations and hormonal tests of E₂ and P serum levels were obtained. Main Outcome Measure(s): Implantation and clinical pregnancy rates (PR). Result(s): One hundred sixty-five patients were enrolled in this study, 78 in the control group and 87 in the hCG-treated group. Progesterone levels and endometrial thickness were similar throughout the cycle in both groups. The E₂ level was significantly higher in group B on the day of embryo transfer and 6 days later. The PRs did not differ between the two groups (28.2% and 32.2% for groups A and B, respectively). Similarly, the implantation rates were comparable between the groups (12.7% and 14.9%, respectively). Conclusion(s): No advantage was found concerning PR and implantation rate by supplementing the secretory phase with hCG in patients undergoing transfer of frozen-thawed embryo in hormonally modulated cycles.