A prospective randomized study comparing intramuscular progesterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of i.m. P and 17 alpha -hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-HPC) for luteal phase support, in patients undergoing IVF-ET cycles. Design: Prospective, randomized study. Setting: Patients undergoing IVF-ET in our Centers. Patient(s): The inclusion criteria were the use. of GnRH down-regulation and aged < 40 years. Intervention(s): A total of 300 cycles were randomly treated with either 17-HPC (341 mg every 3 days) or P (50 mg daily). Main Outcome Measure(s): The outcomes of IVF in both study groups were evaluated for biochemical pregnancy, miscarriage, clinical pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy. Result(s): No difference was found in the main outcome parameters considered. Conclusion(s): Although the results of the study encourage the use of 17-HPC for luteal phase support in patients undergoing IVF-ET program, more studies are necessary to support the. hypothesis that it can replace i.m. P-in-oil. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.