M. Jinno et al., A NOVEL METHOD OF OVARIAN STIMULATION FOR IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION - BROMOCRIPTINE-REBOUND METHOD, Fertility and sterility, 66(2), 1996, pp. 271-274
Objective: To examine whether a new method of ovarian stimulation, bro
mocriptine-rebound method, improves IVF outcomes compared with the con
ventional long protocol of GnRH agonist and hMG regimen. Design: A pro
spective clinical trial. Setting: In vitro fertilization program at a
university hospital. Patients: Endocrine-normal ovulatory women less t
han 40 years of age, with normal male partners and previous failed IVF
-ET using long protocol. Interventions: Patients were assigned to eith
er bromocriptine-rebound method (group 1) or long protocol (group 2).
The bromocriptine-rebound method was the same as the long protocol, ex
cept that bromocriptine was administered daily from day 4 of the prece
ding cycle until 7 days before hMG stimulation. Main Outcome Measures:
The number of cleaved and morphologically superior embryos, pregnancy
rate per oocyte pick-up, and serum PRL concentrations during administ
rations of hMG. Results: Significantly more embryos were cleaved and h
ad superior morphology in group 1 than group 2. Clinical and ongoing p
regnancy rates per oocyte pick-up were significantly higher in group 1
(42% and 38%, respectively) than group 2 (24% and 21%, respectively).
The mean PRL concentration was significantly higher in the group 1 th
an group 2. A significant correlation between the number of superior e
mbryos and PRL concentrations was observed in group 1, but not in grou
p 2. Conclusion: The bromocriptine-rebound method enhanced embryonic d
evelopment, resulting in an increased pregnancy rate compared with the
long protocol.