Background Fertility preservation is an important concern in breast cancer patients. In the present investigation, we set out to create a specific protocol of controlled ovarian stimulation (cos) for oocyte cryopreservation in breast cancer patients.Methods From November 2014 to December 2016, 109 patients were studied. The patients were assigned to a specific random-start ovarian stimulation protocol for oocyte cryopreservation. The endpoints were the numbers of oocytes retrieved and of mature oocytes cryopreserved, the total number of days of ovarian stimulation, the total dose of gonadotropin administered, and the estradiol level on the day of the trigger.Results Mean age in this cohort was 31.27 ± 4.23 years. The average duration of cos was 10.0 ± 1.39 days. The mean number of oocytes collected was 11.62 ± 7.96 and the mean number of vitrified oocytes was 9.60 ± 6.87. The mean estradiol concentration on triggering day was 706.30 ± 450.48 pg/mL, and the mean dose of gonadotropins administered was 2610.00 ± 716.51 IU. When comparing outcomes by phase of the cycle in which cos was commenced, we observed no significant differences in the numbers of oocytes collected and vitrified, the length of ovarian stimulation, and the estradiol level on trigger day. The total dose of follicle-stimulating hormone and human menopausal gonadotropin administered was statistically greater in the group starting cos in the luteal phase than in the group starting in the late follicular phase.Conclusions Our results suggest that using a specific protocol with random-start ovarian stimulation for oocyte cryopreservation in breast cancer patients is effective and could be offered to young women undergoing oncologic treatment.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess a novel protocol designed to improve poor ovarian
response through intra-ovarian androgenization. The endpoints were: number
of oocytes and mature oocytes retrieved, fertilization, cancellation and
pregnancy rates.MethodsThis prospective crossover study enrolled poor responders from previous
ovarian stimulation cycles submitted to a novel protocol called ANDRO-IVF.
The protocol included pretreatment with transdermal AndroGel(r) (Besins) 25
mg, oral letrozole 2.5 mg and subcutaneous hCG 2500 IU; cycle control was
performed with estradiol valerate and micronized progesterone; ovarian
stimulation was attained with gonadotropins FSH/LH 450 IU, GnRH antagonist
and hCG 5000 IU.ResultsFourteen poor responders were enrolled. One patient did not meet the
inclusion criteria. Thirteen patients previously summited to the standard
protocol were offered the ANDRO-IVF Protocol.-Standard Protocol: Mean age:
35.30 years; cancellation rate: 61.53%; mean number of MII oocytes retrieved
per patient: 1.8; fertilization rate: 33.33%. Only two patients had embryo
transfers, and none got pregnant.-ANDRO-IVF Protocol: Mean age: 35.83 years;
cancellation rate: 7.69%; mean number of oocytes retrieved per patient:
5.58, MII oocytes: 3.91. ICSI was performed in 84.61% of the patients and a
mean of 1.5 embryos were transferred per patient. Fertilization rate: 62.5%;
cumulative pregnancy rate: 16.66%; mean duration of stimulation: 9.77
days.ConclusionANDRO-IVF allows intra-ovarian androgenization by increasing serum and
intra-follicular androgen levels and preventing androgen aromatization. This
protocol apparently improved clinical outcomes of poor responders in
parameters such as number of oocytes retrieved and clinical pregnancy rates.
Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these
findings.
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