"Effect of Adding LH Activity During Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation: A Comparison of Standard vs. Low-Dose Human Chorionic Gonadotropin on Pregnancy Rates Following Frozen Embryo Transfer"

Several studies suggest that adding luteinizing hormone (LH) activity to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF) may improve live delivered pregnancy rates (LDPRs). However, the purpose of this study was not to prove or disprove whether adding LH activity improves LDPRs. Instead, the study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two methods of adding LH activity: using human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) or low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injections during FSH stimulation. Since low-dose hCG is less expensive, the study sought to determine if it is as effective as hMG.To eliminate the potential effects of COH on the endometrium, the study used frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles, evaluating embryo quality in the subsequent cycle, which involved only a graduated estrogen regimen followed by progesterone. The findings showed no significant advantage of the more expensive hMG over low-dose hCG in improving LDPRs. This suggests that low-dose hCG may be a cost-effective alternative to hMG for adding LH activity during COH.