Table 1.
Characteristics of studies included
| Reference | Study type | Period of observation | Country | Population | Intervention | Comparison | Effects of rLH supplementation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisi et al. 2002 | RCT subgroup analysis | n.a. | Italy (single-centre) |
N = 453 Included: Age not specified BMI ≥ 18 and ≤ 35 kg/m2 Regular menses Hyporesponse: defined as higher rFSH dosage consumption (> 2500 IU; n = 8) Excluded: Abnormal karyotype Any known endocrinopathy |
rFSH + rLH rLH started at stimulation day 7 rLH dosage 75 IU |
rFSH | Higher implantation rate |
| Ferraretti et al. 2004 | RCT | January 2002 to April 2003 | Italy (single-centre) |
N = 126 Included: Age ≤ 37 years BMI ≤ 27 kg/m2 Normal uterine cavity Normal karyotypes Hypo-response defined as a “plateau on follicular growth” at stimulation days 7–10 in patients with > 10 antral follicles |
N = 54 rFSH + rLH rLH started from mid-follicular phase rLH dosage 75 IU–150 IU |
N = 50 rFSH step-up |
Higher number of oocytes retrieved, implantation rate and pregnancy rate per embryo transfer |
| De Placido et al. 2005 | RCT | February to December 2003 | Italy (multi-centre) |
N = 229 Included Age 18–37 years Basal FSH ≤ 9 IU/L BMI 18–28 kg/m2 Hypo-response defined as (i) E2 < 180 pg/ml and (ii) At least 6 follicles between 6 and 10 mm, but no follicles > 10 mm at stimulation day 8 Excluded: PCOS Endometriosis stage III-IV (AFS criteria) Endocrine disorders Autoimmune disorders > 2 previously unsuccessful IVF-ICSI Single ovary |
N = 59 rFSH + rLH rLH started at stimulation day 8 rLH dosage 150 IU |
N = 58 rFSH step-up |
Higher number of oocytes retrived and MII oocytes |
| Ruvolo et al. 2007 | RCT | September 2004 to February 2005 | Italy (single-centre) |
N = 42 Included Average age: 33.00 years (Group A) 36.33 years (Group B) BMI < 28 kg/m2 Basal FSH (< 12 IU/mL) Hypo-response defined as (i) E2 < 180 pg/ml and (ii) At least 6 follicles between 6 and 10 mm, but no follicles > 12 mm at stimulation day 8 and previous stimulation with > 3000 IU of rFSH |
N = 24 rFSH + rLH rLH started at stimulation day 8 rLH dosage 75 IU–150 IU |
N = 18 rFSH |
Higher pregnancy rates and implantation rate |
| Yilmaz et al. 2015 | Prospective study | January 2009 to April 2011 | Turkey (single centre) |
N = 137 Included: Age 23–39 BMI 18–30 kg/m2 FSH ≤ 12UI): Hypo-response defined as (i) E2 < 180 pg/ml and (ii) At least 6 follicles between 6 and 10 and no follicles > 10 mm at stimulation day 7 Excluded: Endometriosis Stage III-IV Single ovary PCOS Ovarian cyst |
N = 50 rFSH + rLH rLH started at stimulation day 7 rLH dosage 75 IU |
N = 35 rFSH step-up |
Higher pregnancy and implantation rate |
n.a. not available, rFSH recombinant FSH rLH: recombinant LH, ≈ comparable, BMI body mass index, PCOS polycystic ovarian syndrome