Rombauts, L.Healy, D.Norman, R.2007-01-162007-01-162006Human Reproduction, 2006; 21(1):95-1030268-11611460-2350http://hdl.handle.net/2440/23129BACKGROUND: This randomized controlled trial was designed to assess the impact of oral contraceptive (OC) scheduling with a GnRH antagonist (ganirelix) regimen on the ovarian response of women undergoing recombinant FSH (rFSH) stimulation for IVF, compared with a non-scheduled ganirelix regimen and a long GnRH agonist (nafarelin) protocol. METHODS: A total of 110 women was treated with an OC and ganirelix, 111 with ganirelix alone and 111 with nafarelin. The OC (containing 30 µg ethinylestradiol/150 µg desogestrel) was taken for 14–28 days and stopped 2 days prior to the start of rFSH treatment. Primary efficiency parameters were the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (per attempt) and the number of grade 1 or 2 embryos (per attempt). RESULTS: In terms of follicular growth and hormone profiles, the OC-scheduled antagonist regimen mimicked the agonist regimen rather than the (non-scheduled) GnRH antagonist regimen. In the OC-scheduled GnRH antagonist group and the nafarelin group (versus the non-scheduled antagonist group), pituitary suppression was more profound at the start of stimulation (P # 0.001), there was a slower start of follicular growth (P # 0.001), longer stimulation was required (11.7 and 10.3 days respectively versus 9.4; P # 0.001), and more rFSH was used (2667 and 2222 IU versus 1966 IU; P # 0.001). In the three groups, the number of oocytes was similar (13.1, 12.9 and 11.5 respectively; not significant) as well as the number of good quality embryos (5.1, 5.7 and 5.0 respectively; not significant). CONCLUSION: OC treatment prior to the rFSH/ganirelix regimen can be successfully applied to schedule patients, although more days of stimulation and more rFSH are required than with a non-scheduled GnRH antagonist regimen.en© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oupjournals.orgGnRHagonistantagonistganirelixIVFnafarelinoral contraceptive pretreatmentJournal article002006000510.1093/humrep/dei3020002338467000122-s2.0-2914449913853313Norman, R. [0000-0002-3118-3896]