Progesterone levels on the hCG day and outcomes in vitro fertilization in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of premature luteinization in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and compared the main determinants of success in in-vitro fertilization in PCOS patients with and without premature luteinization.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 180 PCOS women of Chinese Han origin with infertility who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with an exogenous gonadotropin/GnRH antagonist protocol. Hormone levels on the hCG day and IVF outcomes were assessed.

Results: The incidence of premature luteinization was 23.3 %. Compared with PCOS patients without premature luteinization, PCOS patients with premature luteinization(PL) had a higher number of oocytes retrieved (18.20 ± 6.6 vs 15.08 ± 7.3, p = 0.037) and a higher fertilization rate (72.9 ± 1.9 vs63.1 ± 2.3, p = 0.033), but clinical pregnancy rates were no statistical significance (53.3 vs 56.0, p = 0.836). Though the implantation rate was higher in no premature luteinization patients, but the difference was not statistically significant (37.7 vs 30.3, p = 0.115).

Conclusion: The PCOS patients with premature luteinization had a higher fertilization rate and high number of oocytes retrieved, and the similar implantation rate and clinical PRs as PCOS patients without premature luteinization.