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Ho NT, Ho DKN, Tomai XH, Nguyen NN, Nguyen HS, Hu YM, Kao SH, Tzeng CR. Pituitary Suppression with Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Prior to Artificial Endometrial Preparation in Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Different Protocols and Infertile Populations. Biomedicines 2024; 12:760. [PMID: 38672116 PMCID: PMC11048410 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of GnRHa pretreatment on pregnancy outcomes in artificial endometrial preparation for frozen-thawed embryo transfer (AC-FET) cycles. A systematic review of English language studies published before 1 September 2022, was conducted, excluding conference papers and preprints. Forty-one studies involving 43,021 participants were analyzed using meta-analysis, with a sensitivity analysis ensuring result robustness. The study found that GnRHa pretreatment generally improved the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), implantation rate (IR), and live birth rate (LBR). However, discrepancies existed between randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies; RCTs showed no significant differences in outcomes for GnRHa-treated cycles. Depot GnRHa protocols outperformed daily regimens in LBR. Extended GnRHa pretreatment (two to five cycles) significantly improved CPR and IR compared to shorter treatment. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) saw substantial benefits from GnRHa pretreatment, including improved CPR and LBR and reduced miscarriage rates. In contrast, no significant benefits were observed in women with regular menstruation. More rigorous research is needed to solidify these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen-Tuong Ho
- Taipei Fertility Center, Taipei 110, Taiwan or (N.-T.H.); (Y.-M.H.)
- College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- IVFMD, My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Dang Khanh Ngan Ho
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Xuan Hong Tomai
- Office of International Relations, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam;
| | - Nam Nhat Nguyen
- College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Hung Song Nguyen
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Yu-Ming Hu
- Taipei Fertility Center, Taipei 110, Taiwan or (N.-T.H.); (Y.-M.H.)
| | - Shu-Huei Kao
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Chii-Ruey Tzeng
- Taipei Fertility Center, Taipei 110, Taiwan or (N.-T.H.); (Y.-M.H.)
- College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
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Chen C, Zeng X, Zhang H, Wei Q, Gao Y, Liu L. Comparison between the modified long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol and the non-downregulation protocol in POSEIDON groups: a propensity score matching retrospective cohort study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1189357. [PMID: 38027212 PMCID: PMC10666785 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1189357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the main technique to address the infertility issue in the patient-oriented strategy encompassing individualized oocyte number (POSEIDON) population. Adopting appropriate protocols for assisted reproduction technologies (ART) cycles in the POSEIDON group may attain more favorable pregnancy outcomes. Objectives This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of modified long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol and non-downregulation protocol in POSEIDON patients undergoing ART, and to identify the factors affecting the pregnancy outcomes in this group. Design This study was designed as a propensity score-matched (PSM) retrospective analysis. Participants The study cohort consisted of 910 patients diagnosed with ovarian hyporesponsiveness and treated by IVF from January 2020 to June 2022. They were followed up until the transfer of the last embryo of the IVF cycle and/or pregnancy at 12 weeks. The study was conducted at the Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Methods The patients were divided into Group I and Group II. Group I was treated with modified long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol while Group II was put on a non-downregulation protocol. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to select patients for each group. The subjects were compared in terms of the baseline level, process of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, and pregnancy outcomes. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the difference in the cumulative pregnancy rate between the two groups. Results Of the 910 POSEIDON patients who underwent IVF, 213 received the modified long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol and 697 were subjected to the non-downregulation protocol. From the original cohort, PSM matched 174 pairs of patients. No statistically significant difference was found in total gonadotropin (Gn) dose between the two PSM groups, but the average daily Gn dose was lower in Group I and the duration of Gn lasted longer. The number of retrieved oocytes, the number of metaphase II (MII) ooctyes retrieved, normal fertilization, and normal cleavage embryos was significantly higher in Group I than in Group II, but there existed no significant difference in the number of high-quality embryos between the two groups. The single-cycle CPR (cumulative pregnancy rate) was higher in Group I than in Group II (for Group I: before PSM, CPR = 52.6%; after PSM, CPR = 51.7%; for Group II: before PSM, CPR = 34.0%; after PSM, CPR = 34.5%), and the difference was statistically significant. A binary logistic regression analysis in the unmatched patients showed that the CPR of Group II was 0.486 times that of Group I (95% CI: 0.303 to 0.779). Conclusions The modified long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol can be used as an optimal protocol for IVF or ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in POSEIDON patients. Level of evidence Level III.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ying Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Zhai J, Zhang J, He J, Lv M, Zhang B, Li G, Du Y, Hao G. Live Birth Outcomes for PCOS Patients Under the Follicular-Phase Long-Acting GnRH Agonist Protocol or Antagonist Protocol - A Retrospective Chinese Cohort. J Multidiscip Healthc 2023; 16:2781-2792. [PMID: 37753342 PMCID: PMC10518358 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s432936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective For patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET), there has been no consensus regarding which protocol is the most optimal for live birth rate in fresh cycles. We sought to evaluate depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocol versus GnRH antagonist protocol in IVF outcomes for PCOS patients in a single fertility center. Methods In this retrospective cohort, PCOS patients who visited the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University reproductive center between February 2012 and December 2019 were screened, and 533 PCOS infertility patients were included undergoing their first IVF cycle, with 470 in the depot GnRH agonist group and 63 in the GnRH antagonist group. The primary of this study outcome was the fresh live birth rate (LBR). Results PCOS women in the depot GnRH agonist group had a higher LBR (49.79%) than those in the GnRH antagonist group (34.92%, p = 0.027). The multivariable logistic regression also confirmed that women in the depot GnRH agonist group had a higher LBR than those in the GnRH antagonist group (OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.05~3.18, p = 0.032). After propensity score matching (PSM), the LBR in the depot GnRH agonist group was higher (50.32%) than that of the GnRH antagonist group (35.48%), p = 0.033. The ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rates were similar between the two groups, with 35 in the depot GnRH group and 6 in the GnRH antagonist group (p = 0.561). Conclusions For PCOS patients in fresh embryo transfer cycles, the depot GnRH agonist protocol may lead to a higher LBR than the antagonist protocol with satisfied lower OHSS rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Zhai
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junyan Zhang
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy Of Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China
- Bothwin Clinical Study Consultant, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingfang He
- Bothwin Clinical Study Consultant, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minzhi Lv
- Department of Biostatistics, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Center of Evidence-Based Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bozheng Zhang
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98053, USA
| | - Guanqun Li
- Technoderma Medicines Inc, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanjie Du
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guimin Hao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, People’s Republic of China
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Chang WS, Lin PH, Li CJ, Chern CU, Chen YC, Lin LT, Tsui KH. Additional single dose GnRH agonist during luteal phase support may improve live birth rate in GnRHa-HRT frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:174. [PMID: 36918869 PMCID: PMC10012576 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05491-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND GnRH agonist (GnRHa) has been reported to have direct effects and functional roles in the endometrium and embryos. Several meta-analyses have shown that GnRHa administration in the luteal phase improved the live birth rate or pregnancy rate in both fresh and frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. The aim of this study was to investigate whether luteal GnRHa administration could also improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in patients undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) cycles with GnRHa suppression. METHODS The retrospective cohort study included a total of 350 patients undergoing GnRHa-HRT FET cycles. The study group included 179 patients receiving an additional single dose of GnRHa in the luteal phase following embryo transfer. A total of 171 patients in the control group did not receive luteal GnRHa. The baseline and cycle characteristics and reproductive outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Baseline and cycle characteristics were similar between the two groups, except lower AMH levels were found in the luteal GnRHa group than in the control group. The luteal GnRHa group had a significantly higher ongoing pregnancy rate and live birth rate than the control group. The multivariate analysis revealed that luteal GnRHa administration was positively associated with ongoing pregnancy (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.20-3.47, P = 0.008) and live birth (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.20-3.45, P = 0.009). When the subgroup of patients with recurrent implantation failure was analyzed, the multivariate analysis also showed that luteal GnRHa administration had beneficial effects on ongoing pregnancy (OR 4.55, 95% CI 1.69-12.30, P = 0.003) and live birth (OR 4.30, 95% CI 1.59-11.65, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the addition of one luteal dose of GnRHa may improve the live birth rate in patients undergoing the GnRHa-HRT protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Shan Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No.386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No.386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No.386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan.,Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chyi-Uei Chern
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No.386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No.386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan
| | - Li-Te Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No.386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan. .,Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan. .,Department of Biological Science, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
| | - Kuan-Hao Tsui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No.386, Dazhong 1st Rd., Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City, 81362, Taiwan. .,Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan. .,Department of Biological Science, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
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Yang X, Tian Y, Zheng L, Luu T, Kwak-Kim J. The Update Immune-Regulatory Role of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in Recurrent Pregnancy Losses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24. [PMID: 36613575 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) is a common reproductive disorder with various underlying etiologies. In recent years, rapid progress has been made in exploring the immunological mechanisms for RPL. A propensity toward Th2 over Th1 and regulatory T (Treg) over Th17 immune responses may be advantageous for reproductive success. In women with RPL and animals prone to abortion, an inordinate expression of cytokines associated with implantation and early embryo development is present in the endometrium or decidua secreted from immune and non-immune cells. Hence, an adverse cytokine milieu at the maternal-fetal interface assaults immunological tolerance, leading to fetal rejection. Similar to T cells, NK cells can be categorized based on the characteristics of cytokines they secrete. Decidual NK (dNK) cells of RPL patients exhibited an increased NK1/NK2 ratio (IFN-γ/IL-4 producing NK cell ratios), leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu and increased NK cell cytotoxicity. Genetic polymorphism may be the underlying etiologies for Th1 and Th17 propensity since it alters cytokine production. In addition, various hormones participate in cytokine regulations, including progesterone and estrogen, controlling cytokine balance in favor of the Th2 type. Consequently, the intricate regulation of cytokines and hormones may prevent the RPL of immune etiologies. Local or systemic administration of cytokines or their antagonists might help maintain adequate cytokine milieu, favoring Th2 over Th1 response or Treg over Th17 immune response in women with RPL. Herein, we provided an updated comprehensive review regarding the immune-regulatory role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in RPL. Understanding the roles of cytokines involved in RPL might significantly advance the early diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of RPL.
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Mo M, Zheng Q, Zhang H, Xu S, Xu F, Wang Y, Zeng Y. Hormone replacement therapy with GnRH agonist pretreatment improves pregnancy outcomes in patients with previous intrauterine adhesions. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2022; 51:102439. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2022.102439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Liu Y, Ma L, Zhu M, Yin H, Yan H, Shi M. STROBE-GnRHa pretreatment in frozen-embryo transfer cycles improves clinical outcomes for patients with persistent thin endometrium: A case-control study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e29928. [PMID: 35945767 PMCID: PMC9351881 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000029928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The well-prepared endometrium with appropriate thickness plays a critical role in successful embryo implantation. The thin endometrium is the main factor of frozen-embryo transfer (FET), resulting in the failure of implantation undergoing FET. Hormone treatment is suggested to improve endometrium thickness; however, among the larger numbers of cases, it cannot reach the sufficient thickness, which leads to a high cancelation rate of embryo transfer as well as waste high-quality embryos. Thus, it increases the burden to patients in both economic and psychological perspectives. We performed a retrospective observational study, which was composed with 2 cohorts, either with the conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) protocol or HRT with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) pretreatment to prepare the endometrium before FET. The measurements of endometrium thickness, hormone level, transfer cycle cancelation rate, pregnancy rate, and implantation rate were retrieved from the medical records during the routine clinic visits until 1 month after embryo transfer. The comparisons between 2 cohorts were performed by t-test or Mann-Whitney U test depending on the different attributions of data. In total, 49 cycles were under HRT with GnRHa pretreatment and 84 cycles were under the conventional HRT protocol. HRT with GnRHa pretreatment group improved the endometrial thickness (8.13 ± 1.79 vs 7.51 ± 1.45, P = .031), decreased the transfer cancelation rate (P = .003), and increased clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate significantly (both P = .001). Additionally, luteinizing hormone level in pretreatment group was consistently lower than conventional HRT group (P < .05). Our study revealed HRT with GnRHa pretreatment efficiently improved the endometrial thickness, therefore, decreased the FET cycle cancelation. It also elevated the embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate by improving endometrial receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lijuan Ma
- Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Min Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huirong Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongli Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minfeng Shi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- * Correspondence: Minfeng Shi, MD, PhD, Reproductive Medicine Center, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, People’s Republic of China (e-mail: ); Hongli Yan, MD, PhD, Reproductive Medicine Center, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China (e-mail: )
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