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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Implantation rates subsequent to the transfer of embryos produced at different phases during double stimulation of poor ovarian responders

Qiong Zhang A , Xiaoyue M. Guo B and Yanping Li A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Center for Reproductive Medicine, Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, 87th Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410000, China.

B Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

C Corresponding author. Email: lyp7798@126.com

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 29(6) 1178-1183 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD16020
Submitted: 28 July 2015  Accepted: 17 March 2016   Published: 11 May 2016

Abstract

To compare the implantation capacity of embryos obtained at different phases of double stimulation (DS) of poor ovarian responders, 153 DS cycles were analysed retrospectively. As part of the DS protocol, antral follicles were stimulated continuously during both the follicular and luteal phases. Fresh embryos obtained in both phases were cryopreserved and transferred in the next artificial cycle. The mean number of oocytes retrieved, MII oocytes and zygotes with two pronuclei was significantly higher for collections during luteal-phase stimulation. Furthermore, the dose of exogenous gonadotropin administered was higher during the luteal phase. The rate of clinical pregnancy and embryo implantation increased progressively from pure follicular phase embryos to mixed embryos to pure luteal phase embryos. Embryos produced during the luteal phase resulted in higher implantation rates.

Additional keywords: luteal phase ovarian stimulation.


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