Inclusion of standard and low-dose gonadotropin releasing hormone-analog (short protocol) in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation regimens in normogonadotropic patients aged 40-48 years who are undergoing in vitro fertilization.

We aimed to compare the efficiency of three controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols in achieving superovulation in normogonadotropic patients aged 40 years or more, who were undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. This was a prospective randomized clinical study, carried out in the Infertility and IVF Unit of an academic tertiary hospital. A total of 219 normogonadotropic patients (serum follicular stimulating hormone level < 15 mIU/ml) aged 40-48 years, with regular menstrual cycles, were randomly allocated to one of three short follicular protocols: menotropins only (group A), menotropins plus a mini-dose of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-analog (600 microg/ day) (group B), or menotropins plus a standard dose (900 microg/day) of a GnRH-analog (group C).