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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Exploring Independent Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone In Vivo in a Mouse Model
Published on: August 11, 2023
Empty follicle syndrome--does repeat administration of hCG really work?
David E Reichman1, Mark D Hornstein, Katharine V Jackson
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Abstract:
In this retrospective case series with historic control subjects, repeat administration of hCG after failure to retrieve oocytes from the first ovary in the setting of unexpectedly low serum hCG levels resulted in unsuccessful IVF outcomes. This represents the largest case series to date regarding repeat administration of hCG in so-called "false" empty follicle syndrome cycles and indicates that patients should be counseled regarding the low likelihood of cycle success after repeat administration of hCG in this setting.
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