Does the bromocriptine-rebound method improve embryo quality?

Abstract

Aim: To examine whether the bromocriptine-rebound (BR) method improves pregnancy outcomes after previous unsuccessful assisted reproductive technology (ART) attempts. Patients/study design: In this study we retrospectively analyzed data from a total of 121 women with normal serum prolactin (PRL) levels and a history of repeated unsuccessful ART procedures. Pregnancy outcomes and hormonal data were compared between the long protocol and BR method. Both procedures were similar, except that in the BR method, bromocriptine was administered daily from day 5 of the preceding cycle until 7 days before ovarian stimulation. Results: The number of fertilized oocytes, cleaved embryos and transplant embryos were significantly higher with the BR method than with the long protocol even though the numbers of retrieved oocyte were same in both groups. The ratio of the good embryos, the clinical pregnancy rate was higher with the BR method than with the long protocol. The embryo score with the BR method were significantly higher than that with the long protocol. Conclusion: BR method could provide the better embryos and improve the transplantation rate in women with previous unsuccessful ART attempts.