Growth hormone for in vitro fertilization

Abstract

Background Ovarian stimulation is the cornerstone in fertility treatments, it produces multifolicular development and in consequence, a greater pregnancy rate. Poor responder patients have bad outcomes in IVF, several medical approaches have been proposed in managing these patients, including Growth Hormone. Objetive To report our results with the use of growth hormone and review published data. Material and method Case series conducted from January 2013 to May 2015 in patients to Centro de Reproducción PROCREA, Mexico City, poor responders according to the criteria of consensus Bologna cycles in fresh stimulation protocol Flare up, application of growth hormone as adjuvant, complete cycles of stimulation (stimulation, oocyte capture, and embryo transfer pregnancy test) and complete records. For statistical analysis, averages and percentages were used. Results 40 cases were analyzed. Age and BMI were 39.1 ± 2.1 years and 24.6 ± 2.8 kg/m2, respectively. Total gonadotrophin dose was 2128.6 ± 1078.9 UI, retrieved oocytes and fertilized eggs were 7.1 ± 4.0 y 5.4 ± 2.8 respectively. Fertilization rate was 76.3% and pregnancy rate was 59.5%. Conclusion There is insufficient evidence for prescribing GH in all patients requiring IVF, nevertheless, in poor responder patients, there seems to be an improvement in egg quality leading to better fertilization and pregnancy rate, with no adverse effects.