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Growth hormone for in vitro fertilization.

Gaity Ahmad¹, Julie Brown, James Mn Duffy

¹Obstetric & Gynaecology, Stepping Hill Hospital, 30 Badger Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, UK, WA14 5UZ.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

|October 13, 2009

Summary

Adjuvant growth hormone may improve live birth rates in in-vitro fertilisation for poor responders. Further research is needed to identify specific patient subgroups who benefit most from this treatment.

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Published on: June 21, 2024

Area of Science:

Reproductive Endocrinology
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Background:

In vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes are crucial, especially for subfertile women identified as 'poor responders'.
Growth hormone (GH) has been explored as an adjunct therapy to enhance IVF success rates.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of supplementary growth hormone within IVF protocols.
To determine if adjuvant GH improves outcomes for women undergoing IVF.

Main Methods:

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted.
Searches included major databases (Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE) up to June 2009.
Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.

Main Results:

Ten RCTs involving 440 subfertile couples were analyzed.
Routine adjuvant GH use in IVF did not show improved general outcomes or increased adverse events.
Significant improvements in live birth rates (OR 5.39) and pregnancy rates (OR 3.28) were observed for poor responders, without increased adverse events.

Conclusions:

Adjuvant growth hormone shows potential for improving live birth rates in poor responder IVF patients.
The specific subgroup of poor responders who would benefit most from GH remains undefined.
Current evidence, based on few and small trials, warrants caution and necessitates further research before widespread recommendation.