Dual stimulation in unexpected poor responder POSEIDON classification group 1, sub–group 2a: A cross-sectional study

Poor ovarian response management is a complex and controversial issue in the field of reproductive medicine.

The aim of this study was to apply double stimulation in the same cycle in unexpected poor responders in POSEIDON classification group 1, sub group 2a and compare assisted reproductive technology outcomes between luteal phase and follicular phase ovarian stimulation.

In this cross-sectional study, 10 women with age < 35 yr, antral follicle count > 5, and anti-müllerian hormone > 1.2 ng/mL were enrolled. All participants received conventional antagonist protocol in the follicular phase and only the cycles with retrieved oocytes < 4 in this phase included. The luteal phase ovarian stimulation was initiated from the day of first oocytes retrieval by 300 IU of human menopausal gonadotropin / day. When dominant follicles amounted to 14 mm in mean diameter, 0.25 mg/day of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist was initiated and 10,000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin was injected when at least two follicles with a mean diameter of 17 mm were observed. Oocyte retrieval was carried out 34-36 hr following human chorionic gonadotropin injection. Finally, a comparison was made between the two phase in terms of the number of retrieved oocytes as well as the number of obtained embryos and fertilization rates.

Numbers of retrieved oocytes (p= 0.004), mature oocytes (p= 0.016), and embryos (p= 0.013) was significantly higher in luteal phase in compared with follicular phase. Quality of embryos was similar in two phases.

Double stimulation protocol can increase number of retrieved oocytes in unexpected PORs.