Human Reproduction, Vol 12, 1399-1402, Copyright © 1997 by Oxford University Press
JP Vermeiden, TJ Roseboom, AJ Goverde, C Suchartwatnachai, E Schoute, DD Braat and R Schats
In the spontaneous menstrual cycle, the mid-cycle gonadotrophin surge
causes maturation of the cumulus-oocyte complex, mucification of cumulus
cells and expansion of the cumulus oophorus, resumption of meiosis and
maturation of the cytoplasm of the oocyte. Whether this is an effect purely
of luteinizing hormone (LH) or whether follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
also plays a role is unknown. The effect of an artificially induced FSH
surge at the time of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) injection on
maturation of the cumulus-oocyte complex was investigated in a prospective
randomized double-blind trial. Twelve patients underwent controlled ovarian
hyperstimulation [long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist
(GnRHa)/human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) protocol] for in-vitro
fertilization (IVF) treatment. At the time of HCG administration, six
patients received a bolus injection of FSH (450 IU i.m.); the other six
patients received a placebo. The peak plasma concentrations of FSH of the
experimental group were compared with the peak values of FSH obtained at
the mid- cycle gonadotrophin surge of the natural cycle of a group of 12
volunteers to validate the bolus injection of FSH. Maturation of the
cumulus-oocyte complex was quantified by measuring the expansion of the
cumulus, by the fertilization rate and the implantation rate. The quality
of the embryos was scored according the average morphology score. The bolus
injection of FSH mimicked the mid-cycle gonadotrophin surge. The mean peak
value of FSH (12.9 IU/l) in the experimental group was fully comparable
with the mean peak value of FSH (10.0 IU/l) of the mid-cycle gonadotrophin
surge in the natural cycle. No effect of a bolus injection of FSH on the
maturation of the cumulus-oocyte complex or any other outcome variable was
found. It is not advantageous to combine the final HCG injection with a
bolus injection of FSH in GnRHa/HMG stimulated cycles.
ARTICLES
An artificially induced follicle stimulating hormone surge at the time of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration in controlled ovarian stimulation cycles has no effect on cumulus expansion, fertilization rate, embryo quality and implantation rate
IVF Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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