Endocrinology: Sequential step-up and step-down dose regimen: an alternative method for ovulation induction with follicle-stimulating hormone in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract

This study was designed to compare both the effectiveness and safety of two low-dose gonadotrophin regimens (step-up versus sequential step-up and step-down) for ovulation induction in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients. In all, 56 infertile clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS patients were included in this prospective randomized study. A total of 38 cycles were conducted with a classic step-up protocol, whereas for 35 cycles the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) threshold dose was reduced by half when the leading follicle reached 14 mm in diameter (sequential protocol). Serum oestradiol, progesterone and luteinizing hormone concentrations and follicular growth rate were evaluated during the cycle. At the time of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration, cycles treated with sequential protocol exhibited significantly lower oestradiol concentrations [434 ± 45 versus 593 ± 67 pg/ml (mean ± SEM)] and the number of medium-sized (14–15 mm) follicles was significantly reduced (0.3 ± 0.1 versus 0.8 ± 0.2) compared with cycles treated with the classic step-up protocol. Moreover, in these cycles serum luteal oestradiol concentrations were decreased significantly (350 ± 77 versus 657 ± 104 pg/ ml) compared with the classic step-up protocol. A sequential step-up and step-down protocol seems to be a safe and effective regimen for ovulation induction in PCOS patients. Decreasing the FSH dose following step-up follicular selection may be an alternative method to avoid multifollicular development.