Single dose application of cetrorelix in combination with clomiphene for friendly IVF: results of a feasibility study.

Author(s): Engel JB, Olivennes F, Fanchin R, Frydman N, Le Du A, Blanchet V, Frydman R

Affiliation(s): Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hopital Antoine Beclere, 157 Rue de la Porte de Trivaux, 92141 Clamart, France. joergbengel@hotmail.com

Publication date & source: 2003-06, Reprod Biomed Online., 6(4):444-7.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

A prospective randomized feasibility study was carried out on 10 patients undergoing IVF treatment using a single-dose LHRH antagonist protocol (cetrorelix, Cetrotide) with clomiphene citrate in combination with either human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) (n = 5) or recombinant human FSH (rFSH) (n = 5). Both treatment-groups, HMG and rFSH, were comparable with regard to age (33.2 +/- 2.6 versus 34.4 +/- 4.0 years) BMI (23.2 +/- 2.6 versus 22.7 +/- 1.6) and cause of infertility. They yielded comparable results concerning gonadotrophin dose (19.8 +/- 8.7 versus 17.0 +/- 8.9), stimulation days (6.5 +/- 2.0 versus 5.8 +/- 1.9) and live births (one versus two). No premature LH surge (LH >10 IU/ml and progesterone >1 ng/ml) occurred. The overall baby take-home rate was 30%. In a small number of patients, cetrorelix could be shown to effectively prevent premature LH surges in stimulation protocols combining clomiphene with gonadotrophins with an excellent baby take-home rate per started cycle of 30%.