Comparison between depot and standard release triptoreline in in vitro fertilization: pituitary sensitivity, luteal function, pregnancy outcome, and perinatal results

To compare the effects of depot and standard release form of triptoreline in superovulation induction in IVF programs. One hundred ninety-six patients undergoing IVF were randomized between two treatment groups. Pituitary desensitization was obtained in group 1 (102 patients) with a single IM injection of 3.75 mg D-Trp-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and, in group 2 (94 patients), with daily SC administration of 0.1 mg D-Trp-6-LH-RH. In a subgroup of 11 patients, a series of GnRH tests was performed to investigate pituitary desensitization and, in another subgroup of 12 patients, a study of luteal phase steroid profile was performed. In an additional 23 patients, a series of GnRH tests were performed to investigate pituitary desensitization during the late follicular and midluteal phases. No differences were found in the time necessary to reach desensitization (11.3 ± 1.03 versus 11.3 ± 1.45 days; mean ± SEM), whereas resumption of pituitary activity takes place in 7 days after the discontinuation of the daily form and in about 2 months after discontinuation of the depot form. No differences were found in the duration of stimulation, number of FSH ampules, E2 levels, and number of follicles (11.7 ± 0.68. versus 12.2 ± 0.68) on hCG administration day and the total oocytes collected (9.1 ± 0.6 versus 9.2 ± 0.64). Oocyte quality, percentage of fertilization and cleavage, pregnancy rate per transfer (28.7% versus 25.6%), and miscarriages (about 30%) were similar in the two protocols. No difference was found in hormonal levels during the luteal phase. In both groups there was a high incidence of multiple pregnancy. Comparable results can be achieved with both long-acting and standard-release forms of GnRH analogs in patients undergoing assisted reproduction in terms of follicular stimulation and abortion rates despite differences in the duration of pituitary suppression.