Luteal phase anovulatory follicles result in the production of competent oocytes: intra-patient paired case-control study comparing follicular versus luteal phase stimulations in the same ovarian cycle

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONAre the mean numbers of blastocysts obtained from sibling cohorts of oocytes recruited after follicular phase and luteal phase stimulations (FPS and LPS) in the same ovarian cycle similar?SUMMARY ANSWERThe cohorts of oocytes obtained after LPS are larger than their paired-FPS-derived cohorts and show a comparable competence, thus resulting in a larger mean number of blastocysts.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYThree theories of follicle recruitment have been postulated to date: (i) the ‘continuous recruitment’ theory, (ii) the ‘single recruitment episode’ theory and (iii) the ‘wave’ theory. Yet, a clear characterization of this crucial biological process for human reproduction is missing. Recent advances implemented inin vitro fertilization (IVF), such as blastocyst culture, aneuploidy testing and vitrification, have encouraged clinicians to maximize the exploitation of the ovarian reserve through tailored stimulation protocols, which is crucial especially for poor prognosis patients aiming to conceive after IVF. LPS has been already successfully adopted to treat poor prognosis or oncological patients through Duostim, LPS-only or random-start ovarian stimulation approaches. Nevertheless, little, and mainly retrospective, evidence has been produced to support the safety of LPS in general. Feasibility of the LPS approach would severely question the classic ‘single recruitment episode’ theory of follicular development.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONThis ca...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research