Poor ovarian response to gonadotrophin stimulation — The role of adjuvant treatments

Abstract

Poor ovarian response to gonadotrophin stimulation represents a clinical problem in in vitro fertilization practice. Women showing poor ovarian response are a heterogeneous group, many of whom have a reduced ovarian reserve and consequently a lower pregnancy potential. Various management strategies have been proposed to improve ovarian response to gonadotrophins, but these have met with limited success. Adjuvant treatments aim to potentiate the effect of exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone. In separate, randomized, placebo-controlled trials low-dose dexamethasone and aspirin have been shown to reduce the incidence of poor response in an initial stimulation cycle. Preliminary studies using pyridostigmine and l-arginine in established poor responders are encouraging but require confirmation in adequately powered studies. Evidence from randomized controlled trials does not support the use of adjuvant growth hormone or growth hormone-releasing hormone in poor responders without overt growth hormone deficiency. The mechanisms of action of adjuvant treatments require further investigation.