Dual trigger using recombinant HCG and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist improve oocyte quality and embryo grading for normal responders in GnRH antagonist cycles: randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of dual trigger using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (rHCG) versus rHCG alone for normal responders in GnRH antagonist intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Patients and methods The current study was a registered open-labeled randomized controlled trial (clinical trial.gov: NCT02916173) conducted in the ART Unit of a tertiary University hospital between October 2016 and October 2018. The study participants were randomized to either group I (HCG group) or group II (dual trigger group). The primary outcome was the number of mature (MII) oocytes in both groups. Results Both groups were similar regarding the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. Women in the dual trigger group had a statistically significant higher number of retrieved oocytes (p = 0.001), MII oocytes (p = 0.01) and the number of grade one embryos (p = 0.04). Both groups were similar regarding the fertilization, implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in a fresh cycle. Dual trigger group was significantly higher in the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate after frozen embryo transfer (p = 0.04, 0.03, respectively). Conclusion Dual trigger by GnRH agonist and rHCG improve the oocyte maturity and embryo grading for normal responders in GnRH antagonist ICSI cycles.