Ovarian suppression with leuprolide acetate: Comparison of luteal, follicular, and flare-up administration in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for oocyte retrieval

Adjunct use of leuprolide (LA) in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) was evaluated by three protocols: Group F(n=24) began LA on day 2 of the cycle and Group L(n=38) began LA on day 23 of the cycle until ovarian suppression, at which time hMG was added. Group FL (n=17) began LA on day 1 and hMG on day 3. Compared to FL, more ova were collected, more ova fertilized, and more pregnancies resulted per initiated cycle in groups achieving suppression before hMG stimulation. Fewer days were necessary to attain suppression for L vs F. After achieving suppression, patients were maintained on either 0.5 mg LA or 0.25 mg LA daily during hMG coadministration with similar results. Lower maintenance doses of LA during hMG did not decrease the amount of hMG needed but retained the benefits of LA. We recommend luteal initiation of LA to achieve suppression before hMG.