A comparison between r-LH and urinary supplements containing LH activity in patients undergoing the microdose GnRH agonist flare protocol for in-vitro fertilization: a pilot study.

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare pregnancy rates and stimulation parameters in patients with diminished ovarian reserve, who were treated with recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-LH) or menopausal gonadotropins (hMG), as part of a microdose flare protocol. A retrospective cohort study was performed. Comparisons between the group that was stimulated with r-LH plus follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to those treated with hMG and FSH, were performed. Measurements included: medication doses, number of oocyte collected, number of embryos obtained, pregnancy and clinical pregnancy rates. Patients in the r-LH group (N.=40) had significant higher clinical pregnancy rates (33% vs. 14%; P=0.04) and used lower dose of LH (1938 IU vs. 2807 IU; P=0.02) compared to patients that were stimulated with hMG (N.=39). r-LH may offer advantages for the treatment of diminished ovarian reserve when performing a microdose flare protocol when compared to hMG. Both larger and prospective studies should be carried out to confirm these findings.