Progesterone- primed ovarian stimulation in polycystic ovarian syndrome: An RCT

In vitro fertilization is an important therapy for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The use of new ways of improving clinical results is yet required.

This study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of progesterone primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) and compare with conventional antagonist protocol in PCOS.

A total of 120 PCOS women who were candidates for assisted reproductive technology treatment from August to January 2019 were enrolled in this RCT and were placed into two groups, randomly (n= 60/each). The PPOS group received 20 mg /day Dydrogesterone orally since the second day of the cycle and the control group received antagonist protocol. The pregnancy outcomes including the chemical and clinical pregnancy, the miscarriage rate, and the percent of gestational sacs/ transferred embryos was compared in two groups.

Number of MII oocyte, maturity rate, Number of 2 pronuclei (2PN) and serum estradiol levels on trigger day were statistically lower in PPOS group (p = 0.019, p = 0.035, p = 0.032, p = 0.030), respectively. Serum LH level on trigger day in PPOS group was higher than antagonist group (p = 0.005). Although there wasn’t sever ovarian hyper simulation syndrome in any participants, mild and moderate ovarian hyper simulation syndrome was less in PPOS group (p = 0.001). Also, the chemical and clinical pregnancy rate were higher in the antagonist group, althoughit was not statistically significant (p = 0.136, p = 0.093 respectively).

Our study demonstrate that PPOS does not improve chemical and clinical pregnancy rate of the infertile women with PCOS.