HORMONE PROFILES UNDER OVARIAN STIMULATION WITH HUMAN MENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPIN (HMG) AND CONCOMITANT ADMINISTRATION OF THE GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE (GNRH)-ANTAGONIST CETRORELIX AT DIFFERENT DOSAGES

Purpose: The premature LH surge in ART programs seems to be avoided by daily administration of the GnRH-antagonist Cetrorelix during the mid cycle phase in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with hMG. The dosag e necessary for sufficient suppression of the pituitary gland is not y et defined. Methods: To elucidate this question three daily dosages (3 , 1, 0.5 mg) were administered and the hormone profiles obtained as we ll as the number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rate, and the consumption of HMG were compared. Results: No premature LH surge coul d be observed at any of the three dosages administered. Both gonadotro pins were deeply suppressed. The fertilization rates of the oocytes ob tained were 45.3% in the 3-mg group, 53.1% in the 1-mg group, and 67.7 % in the 0.5-mg group. The average uses of hMG ampoules were 30 in the 3-mg group, 27 in the 1-mg group, and 26 in the 0.5-mg group. Conclus ions: Cetrolix, 0.5 mg/day, administered during the midcycle phase of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with hMG is enough to prevent comp letely the premature LH surge. Perhaps even lower dosages would be suf ficient, Regarding fertilization rates and use of hMG, the lower dosag e seems to be the most favorable.