Role of GnRH agonists in managing proximal fallopian tube obstruction

To assess the response of proximal fallopian tube obstruction to a medically induced hypoestrogenic state after control for spasm at the uterotubal ostium.

This was a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study in a tertiary care, university-affiliated infertility practice. Twenty-one infertile women with unilateral or bilateral proximal tubal obstruction previously diagnosed by standard hysterosalpingography or laparoscopic chromotubation were randomized into two groups in a 2:1 design. Group I, 14 patients (27 occluded tubes), was administered a depot preparation of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist leuprolide acetate, 3.75 mg intramuscularly every 28 days. Group II, seven patients (11 occluded tubes), was administered a placebo. Follow-up hysterosalpingography was performed after administration of the antispasmodic glucagon within four weeks of completion of the protocol.

Evidence of ovarian suppression was confirmed within four weeks in group I. A trend toward higher posttherapy patency rates was noted in group I (74.7% vs. 40%). The lack of statistical significance may have been a function of sample size. Similarly, spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy rates were also higher in GnRH agonist-treated patients (35.1% vs. 16.6%, P < .05). Tubal patency rates were significantly greater in patients with documented estrogen-sensitive disorders who received the agonist (75% vs. 20%, P < .05)

Proximal tubal obstruction may be an estrogen-sensitive phenomenon in a subset of infertile patients. The administration of GnRH agonists may successfully overcome this state and result in enhanced conception rates.