Back-to-back random-start ovarian stimulation prior to chemotherapy to maximize oocyte yield

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of utilizing back-to-back random-start ovarian stimulation to increase oocyte yield for fertility preservation prior to cancer treatment. Methods: A case series of 15 patients who underwent back-to-back random-start stimulation cycles prior to chemotherapy. Results: Of the 15 back-to-back random-start stimulation cases, 13 had breast cancer and 2 had other cancers. The average age was 38 years (range 30–43) and average AFC was 8 (range 3–14). Fourteen of the 15 women (93%) who underwent two ovarian stimulation cycles completed both of them. The average time to complete back-to-back random-start ovarian stimulation was 33 days (range 13–43 days). The average time between the first cycle completion and the second cycle start in our back-to-back random-start stimulations was 9 days (range 0–14 days). Two of the women underwent back-to-back random-start ovarian stimulation prior to starting neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Eleven of our 15 women at least doubled their oocyte or embryo yield relative to their first cycle. Only 1 of the 15 second cycles was canceled. The mature oocyte rate, fertilization rate, and embryo yield were similar among the first and second cycles. Conclusions: Back-to-back random-start ovarian stimulation may be an effective way to maximize fertility preservation, even in time-limited settings.