THE ROLE OF A HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN BURST IN IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION

Findings: No oocytes were found during four ovum pickups (OPU), despit e a satisfactory ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulati on. After the first attempt failed in the fourth case, five eggs were retrieved, fertilized, and cleaved after cycle rescue with hCG. Conclu sions: Whenever oocytes are not aspirated during OPU due to a lack of hCG administration, the cycle may be rescued if 10,000 IU of hCG is in jected immediately and OPU planned for 33-36 hr later.