The effect of luteal phase support protocol on cycle outcome and luteal phase hormone profile in long agonist protocol intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To study the effect of luteal phase support protocol on cycle outcome and luteal phase hormone profile, in long agonist protocol intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.

Design: Prospective randomized trial.

Setting: Private infertility center.

Patient(s): Two hundred seventy-four women undergoing first ICSI cycles were randomized after ovum pickup into three groups of luteal support.

Intervention(s): Group I received IM P (P(4)) only, group II received P(4) + oral E(2) valerate, group III received P(4) + hCG.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Pregnancy rate (PR), implantation rate, rates of multiple pregnancy and miscarriage, and midluteal serum E(2) and P(4), and midluteal E(2):P(4) ratio.

Result(s): The PR and implantation rates were significantly higher in group II compared to group I and the miscarriage rate was significantly lower in group II compared with group I. Midluteal E(2) was significantly higher in group II compared with group I. The decline in E(2) after ovum pickup was lowest in group II, highest in group I. The midluteal E(2):P(4) ratio was significantly higher in group II compared with groups I and III.

Conclusion(s): The E(2) luteal phase supplementation in long GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a) protocol ICSI cycles resulted in better cycle outcome and better luteal phase hormone profile.