Outcome of in-vitro fertilization through natural cycles in poor responders

This prospective study examines the benefits of using natural cycles instea d of stimulated cycles in poor responders to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) t reatment, Eleven patients in whom puncture was cancelled or who failed to c onceive because of a poor response were included in the analysis. The data for natural cycles (n = 16) were compared with data obtained during previou s stimulated cycles (n = 25) in the same women. Out of 16 natural cycles, 1 3 (81.3%) were scheduled for oocyte retrieval compared to 13 out of 25 stim ulated cycles (52%). Eighteen metaphase II oocytes were obtained during sti mulated cycles, giving a 66% fertilization rate. In natural cycles, 11 meta phase II oocytes were available giving a fertilization rate of 78.6%. A mea n number of 51.5 +/- 25 ampoules of gonadotrophins per cycle were used duri ng ovarian stimulation. Three clinical pregnancies were obtained after embr yo transfer in natural cycles (18.8%/started cycle) compared to none in sti mulated cycles, Our findings demonstrate that an encouraging number of preg nancies can be achieved by IVF during natural cycles in poor responders to ovarian stimulation. This may not be the first approach to consider in IVF but it should be offered as an alternative after two ovarian response failu res using classical protocols of stimulation.