Outcomes of ovarian stimulation in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in cancer patients

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of controlled ovarian stimulation in different phases of the menstrual cycle in cancer patients seeking for the preservation of reproductive material before gonadotoxic therapy.

Methods

A total of 140 patients with oncological diseases underwent ovarian stimulation in the standard protocol with GnRH antagonists in the follicular phase of the cycle (n = 68) and in the random-start protocol in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle without prescribing GnRH antagonists (n = 72).

Results

All patients included in the study were comparable in age and AMH level. There were no differences in the mean number of oocytes retrieved in the follicular phase group, and luteal phase group. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in the number of M II oocytes.

Conclusions

The results of the study demonstrate the equal effectiveness of stimulation protocols in different phases of the menstrual cycle, which allows us to develop a personalized approach to the implementation of reproductive function both in cancer patients and in the routine practice of ART.

Keywords:

• Ovarian stimulation
• random-start ovarian stimulation
• fertility preservation

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that this research is conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationship that can be a potential conflict of interest.