The value of GnRH agonists in the treatment of failed cycles in an IVF-ET program: a comparative study

Occasionally, menotropins fail to induce ovulation for IVF-ET, due to early luteinization resulting in high cancellation rates of 15-40% of cycles. The efficacy of GnRH agonists in reducing these problems was prospectively studied in 91 women undergoing repeated IVF-ET, after desensitization with GnRH agonists. In all patients, the cycles that had been induced by menotropins alone failed due to early luteinization. By comparing these patients to a control group with significantly lower cancellation rates as well as significantly higher fertilization, the cleavage and pregnancy rates were achieved for the former group (p < 0.001 in all parameters). Pituitary down-regulation by means of GnRH agonists prior to the induction of ovulation seems to be an effective and rewarding method for minimizing cancellation rates, and for achieving improved results in IVF-ET therapy.