Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
08:46
Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
Empty follicle syndrome after GnRHa triggering versus hCG triggering in COS
Juan C Castillo1, Juan Garcia-Velasco, Peter Humaidan
1FIV Valencia, Santa Rosa 12, 46021 Valencia, Spain. jccastillo@fiv-valencia.es
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
|January 13, 2012
Summary
The incidence of empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is similar whether final oocyte maturation is triggered with GnRHa or hCG. This study found no significant difference in EFS rates between GnRHa and hCG triggering in oocyte donation and IVF cycles.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Background:
- Empty Follicle Syndrome (EFS) is a rare complication in assisted reproductive technology.
- The choice of trigger medication for final oocyte maturation can influence IVF outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of EFS in oocyte donors triggered with Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone agonist (GnRHa).
- To compare EFS rates in GnRHa-triggered oocyte donors versus IVF patients triggered with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 2034 oocyte donation cycles and 1433 IVF cycles.
- Data collected between 2009 and 2010.
- Identification and comparison of EFS incidence in both groups.
Main Results:
- The incidence of EFS was 3.5% in the GnRHa group and 3.1% in the hCG group.
- No statistically significant difference in EFS rates was observed between the two triggering methods.
- The findings were not statistically significant (n.s.).
Conclusions:
- GnRHa triggering for final oocyte maturation does not increase the incidence of EFS compared to hCG triggering.
- This large retrospective study supports the safety of GnRHa in oocyte maturation protocols regarding EFS.
- Oocyte maturation trigger choice may not be a significant factor in EFS development.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
01:27Ovarian Cycle
The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
01:20Folliculogenesis
Folliculogenesis is the development of ovarian follicles, the specialized structures within the ovarian cortex where oogenesis, or egg development, occurs. This process is essential for female reproductive health and begins during fetal development when primordial follicles are formed. Each primordial follicle comprises a primary oocyte in the center, surrounded by a single layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells. These follicles remain dormant in late prophase I of meiosis until triggered by...
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
01:22Oogenesis
Oogenesis, the process of developing egg cells (female gametes), occurs within the ovaries and is fundamental to female fertility. This sequence begins during fetal development when diploid oogonia in the developing ovaries undergo mitotic divisions to produce primary oocytes. By birth, these primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but become arrested in this stage, remaining suspended until puberty.
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...