Efficacy of the depot gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist protocol on in vitro fertilization outcomes in young poor ovarian responders from POSEIDON group 3
Wenshu Li, Wei Zhang, Huishan Zhao, Yongli Chu, Xuemei Liu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocol could improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes for young poor responders from POSEIDON group 3. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was carried out from June 2017 to June 2020. A total of 451 patients were assigned to three groups depending on the ovarian stimulation protocols. The outcome parameters of IVF were compared in each group. RESULTS: Patients who received the depot GnRH agonist had significantly higher cumulative clinical pregnancy rates (50.88%, 32.02%, and 31.88%, respectively; P = 0.009 and P = 0.007) and cumulative live birth rate (48.25%, 26.97%, and 28.99%, respectively; P = 0.004 and P = 0.009) compared with mild ovarian stimulation protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol. They also had higher live birth rate per fresh embryo transfer cycle (47.78%, 32.35%, and 36.62%, respectively), but these differences were not statistically significant. Moreover, duration of stimulation, total dose of gonadotropins and endometrial thickness were significantly higher among women who received the depot GnRH agonist (P < 0.001). However, they had lower embryo transfer cancellation rate, and abnormal endometrium rate (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The depot GnRH agonist protocol may improve cumulative clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate for young women with poor ovarian response from POSEIDON group 3.