Human Reproduction, Vol. 14, No. 7, 1690-1697,
July 1999
© 1999 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Adjuvant L-arginine treatment for in-vitro fertilization in poor responder patients
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Modena, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41100 Modena 2 Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Udine, Italy
The objective of the present study was prospectively and randomly to evaluate the role of L-arginine in improving uterine and follicular Doppler flow and in improving ovarian response to gonadotrophin in poor responder women. A total of 34 patients undergoing assisted reproduction was divided in two groups according to different ovarian stimulation protocols: (i) flare-up gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) plus elevated pure follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH) (n = 17); and (ii) flare-up GnRHa plus elevated pFSH plus oral L-arginine (n = 17). During the ovarian stimulation regimen, the patients were submitted to hormonal (oestradiol and growth hormone), ultrasonographic (follicular number and diameter, endometrial thickness) and Doppler (uterine and perifollicular arteries) evaluations. Furthermore, the plasma and follicular fluid concentrations of arginine, citrulline, nitrite/nitrate (NO2–/NO3–), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were assayed. All 34 patients completed the study. In the L-arginine treated group a lower cancellation rate, an increased number of oocytes collected, and embryos transferred were observed. In the same group, increased plasma and follicular fluid concentrations of arginine, citrulline, NO2–/NO3–, and IGF-1 was observed. Significant Doppler flow improvement was obtained in the L-arginine supplemented group. Three pregnancies were registered in these patients. No pregnancies were observed in the other group. It was concluded that oral L-arginine supplementation in poor responder patients may improve ovarian response, endometrial receptivity and pregnancy rate.
Key words: Doppler/IVF/L-arginine/poor responders/ultrasonography
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  L.-P. Cheung, P.-M. Lam, I. H. Lok, T. T.-Y. Chiu, S.-Y. Yeung, C.-C. Tjer, and C. J. Haines GnRH antagonist versus long GnRH agonist protocol in poor responders undergoing IVF: a randomized controlled trial Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2005; 20(3): 616 - 621. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Hoffmann, F. Stanke-Labesque, R. Fanchin, N. Dilai, J.C. Pons, and J.M. Ayoubi Effects of L-arginine and sodium nitroprusside on the spontaneous contractility of human non-pregnant uterus Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2003; 18(1): 148 - 151. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Battaglia, G. Regnani, T. Marsella, F. Facchinetti, A. Volpe, S. Venturoli, and C. Flamigni Adjuvant L-arginine treatment in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: a double-blind, randomized study Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2002; 17(3): 659 - 665. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S.D. Keay, E.A. Lenton, I.D. Cooke, M.G.R. Hull, and J.M. Jenkins Low-dose dexamethasone augments the ovarian response to exogenous gonadotrophins leading to a reduction in cycle cancellation rate in a standard IVF programme Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2001; 16(9): 1861 - 1865. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Ekerhovd, A. Enskog, K. Caidahl, N. Klintland, L. Nilsson, M. Brannstrom, and A. Norstrom Plasma concentrations of nitrate during the menstrual cycle, ovarian stimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2001; 16(7): 1334 - 1339. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Battaglia, S. Giulini, G. Regnani, R. Di Girolamo, S. Paganelli, F. Facchinetti, and A. Volpe Seminal plasma nitrite/nitrate and intratesticular Doppler flow in fertile and infertile subjects Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2000; 15(12): 2554 - 2558. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|