Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation For Low Responders In In Vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: A Low-Dose Flare Protocol

In this retrospective study of 652 anticipated low response women, the overall clinical outcomes (live birth rate and clinical pregnancy rate [PR]) of low-dose flare (LDF) protocol appeared lower than those of conventional down-regulation (DR) (LDF: 15.1% vs. DR: 20.6% and LDF: 10.3% vs. DR: 17.4%, respectively). The findings that LDF protocol improved the clinical outcome in older women, or when LDF followed an unsuccessful IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle with DR (LDF: 19.4% vs. DR: 9.76% and LDF: 13.9% vs. DR: 4.2% respectively), need further evaluation through randomized trials. (Fertil Steril (R) 2011; 95: 1809-12. (C) 2011 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)