Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist triggering may improve central oocyte granularity and embryo quality

Zygote. 2020 Aug;28(4):337-343. doi: 10.1017/S0967199420000106. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Abstract

This study aimed to describe outcomes in four women aged 28-34 years with central cytoplasmic granulation (CCG) of the oocytes who underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist to replace human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) as a trigger of final oocyte maturation. The initial ICSI procedure showed that all four women had CCG of the ooplasm and poor quality embryos. Subsequent ICSI used an antagonist protocol with a GnRH agonist trigger replacing the agonist protocol, plus hCG triggered ovulation. Ooplasm and embryo quality were improved in all four patients. All four became pregnant and gave birth to live infants. This study provides GnRH agonist triggering that may improve ooplasm granularity and embryo quality.

Keywords: Centrally cytoplasmic granulation; Embryo quality; GnRH agonist trigger; Human chorionic gonadotrophin trigger; ICSI.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / metabolism
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / pharmacology
  • Embryo Culture Techniques
  • Female
  • Fertility Agents, Female / pharmacology
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / agonists*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Leuprolide / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Menotropins / pharmacology
  • Oocytes / drug effects
  • Oocytes / physiology*
  • Ovulation Induction / methods*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Fertility Agents, Female
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Menotropins
  • Leuprolide