Mid-luteal phase injection of subcutaneous leuprolide acetate improves live delivered pregnancy and implantation rates in younger women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET)

Purpose: To determine if a single injection of one-mg leuprolide acetate three days after embryo transfer (ET) in younger women causes an increase in pregnancy rates, and if so, is it associated with a higher initial serum hCG level? Materials and Methods: A prospective study was initiated where women aged <= 35 years were offered the option of taking the leuprolide or not. Results: Though a significant difference was not found, there was a trend for higher live delivered pregnancy rates in those taking the leuprolide supplement (47.8%) vs. those not taking it (38.6%). There was no difference in the first serum beta hCG level. Conclusions: The trends is interesting enough to continue with a higher powered study.