Selective early elimination of luteal support in assisted reproduction cycles using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist during ovarian stimulation

Objective: To determine if women undergoing GnRH agonist-hMG stimulated IVF cycles can undergo successful discontinuation of luteal phase support. Design: A protocol for selective discontinuation of luteal phase support was evaluated prospectively iu women undergoing assisted reproduction cycles. Setting: A tertiary care institutional-based assisted reproduction program. Patient(s): One hundred eighty-eight women who conceived after an IVF or zygote intrafallopian transfer cycle including a GnRH agonist between January 1994 and June 1997. Intervention(s): Women with serum progesterone levels of greater than or equal to 60 ng/mL at 4 weeks' gestation were selected for discontinuation of their luteal phase support. Main Outcome Measure(s): Delivery rate. Result(s): Sixty-three women (62.4%) met the criteria for discontinuation of luteal phase support. There were no differences in the mean age, peak E-2 levels, number of follicles, number of embryos transferred, or delivery rates (85.7% versus 78.9%) between the women who did and those who did not have discontinuation of their progesterone supplementation. Conclusion(s): These data reveal that luteal phase support can be discontinued successfully for selective women undergoing NF who are receiving a GnRH agonist. (Fertil Steril(R) 1998;70:1056-62. (C) 1998 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)