Ovarian stimulation protocols

Abstract

Ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization treatment of infertility, aiming to the production of many oocytes to increase the possibility of pregnancy, may be performed with conventional and novel protocols. The conventional protocols include the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and GnRH antagonist protocols, which have similar efficacy in terms of live birth rate, but the antagonists are safer with lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Generally, the types of gonadotropins have shown rather comparable results. The novel protocols, the random-start and the double stimulation protocols, have been developed to facilitate fertility preservation for oncological patients and to increase the oocyte yield in poor responders. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.