A novel modified ultra-long agonist protocol improves the outcome of high body mass index women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing IVF/ICSI

Abstract

In an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel modified ultra-long agonist (ULA) protocol on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a retrospective study of 499 women employed with either ULA or conventional long agonist (LA) protocol was analyzed. In high BMI group (>25 kg/m²), the ULA protocol yielded significant higher clinic pregnancy rate (PR) (70.2% versus 50.8%, p < 0.05), implantation rate (52.7% versus 35.7%, p < 0.05) and live birth rate (63.8% versus 39.0%, p < 0.05) when compared with LA protocol. In low BMI group (≤25 kg/m²), the ULA protocol also demonstrated a higher clinic PR (70.8% versus 59.5%, p < 0.05) whereas implantation rate and live birth rate are comparable. Within ULA protocol, the clinic PR, implantation rate and live birth rate are similar between high and low BMI patients. Similarly, the clinic PR and live birth rate demonstrated no significant difference within LA group but there is a significant lower implantation rate (35.7% versus 63.9%, p < 0.05) observed in high BMI patients. No difference in miscarriage rate and severe OHSS rate was found among all groups. In conclusion, ULA protocol benefits the IVF outcomes of PCOS patients with high BMI status.

• Body mass index
• IVF/ICSI outcome
• long agonist
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• ultra-long agonist