A randomized study comparing Crinone 8% and intramuscular progesterone supplementation in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Crinone 8% intravaginal progesterone gel vs. IM progesterone for luteal phase and early pregnancy support after IVF-ET. Design: Randomized, open-label study. Setting: Academic medical center. Patient(s): Two hundred and one women undergoing IVF-ET. Intervention(s): Women were randomized to supplementation with Crinone 8% ( 90 mg once daily) or IM progesterone (50 ring once daily) beginning the day after oocyte retrieval. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pregnancy, embryo implantation. and live birth rat es. Result(s): The women randomized to luteal phase supplementation with IM pro gesterone had significantly higher clinical pregnancy (48.5% vs. 30.4%, odd s ratio [OR], 2.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21, 3.87), embryo impla ntation (24.1% vs. 17.5%; OR. 1.89; 95% Cl. 1.08, 3.30.). and live birth ra tes (39.4% vs. 24.5%; OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.10, 3.70) than women randomized t o Crinone 8%. Conclusion(s): In women undergoing IVF-ET, once-a-day progesterone suppleme ntation with Crinone 8%, beginning the day after oocyte retrieval, resulted in significantly lower embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live b irth rates compared with women supplemented with IM progesterone. (Fertil S terit (R) 2001; 76:1144-9. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Me dicine.).