Gn-RH antagonists in intrauterine insemination: the weekend-free protocol

To compare the results of intrauterine insemination (IUI) when GnRH antagonist was added-to avoid IUI on weekend-with those obtained with the standard IUI protocol.

In an IUI program under ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins when one or more follicles of 15-16 mm were seen, if it was not possible for logistic reasons (weekend) to perform the insemination 72 h later, GnRH antagonist was administered until human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration. The IUI was performed on Monday. We compared the results of this IUI "weekend-free'' group with our results in standard IUI cycles, where IUI was performed 36-38 h after reaching optimal follicular growth.

Both groups were comparable regarding the main demographic parameters, except for higher estradiol levels, due to the prolonging ovarian stimulation. The per cycle pregnancy rate (PR) were very similar in both groups: 15.7% in the weekend-free IUI versus 16.5% in standard IUI. The multiple pregnancy rate and the hyperstimulation rate were also similar. A non-significant trend to higher high-order multiple pregnancy was observed in the weekend-free IUI.

In IUI cycles under ovarian suprastimulation with gonadotrophins, the use of GnRH antagonist allows the manipulation of the follicular development in such a way that it is possible to avoid inseminations on the weekends, without apparently reducing the PR.