Effects of multiple doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on the luteal-phase support in assisted reproductive cycles: A clinical trial study

The effect of adding gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist on the luteal phase support in assisted reproductive technique (ART) cycles is controversial.

To determine the effects of adding multiple doses of GnRH agonist to the routine luteal phase support on ART cycle outcomes.

In this clinical trial study, 200 cases who underwent the antagonist protocol at the Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd, Iran, between January and March 2020 participated. From them, 168 cases had inclusion criteria and equally divided into 2 groups. After receiving progesterone in the luteal phase in both groups, while the case group received GnRH agonist subcutaneously (0/1 mg triptorelin) zero, three, and six days after the fresh embryo transfer, the control group did not receive anything. Finally, chemical and clinical pregnancy rates, number of mature oocytes, fertilization rate, total dose of gonadotropin, and the estradiol level were determined.

The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. No significant difference was observed between embryo transfer cycles. Clinical results showed that the differences between the fertilization rate, chemical and clinical pregnancy were not significant.

The results showed that receiving multiple doses of GnRH agonist in the luteal phase of ART cycles neither improves embryo implantation nor the pregnancy rates; therefore, further studies are necessary.