Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
Improved pregnancy rates with luteinizing hormone supplementation in patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF
Nicole D Paterson1, Shu C Foong, Calvin A Greene
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Calgary, 1403-29th St., NW, rm 428 North Tower, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 2T9. Nicole.Paterson@albertahealthservices.ca
Introduction:
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is believed to play a role in follicle maturation during the natural cycle. However, the need for co-treatment with recombinant LH (rLH) for controlled ovarian stimulation is controversial.
Purpose:
The primary objective of our study was to determine if pregnancy rates are improved when rLH is used in addition to rFSH for ovarian stimulation. Secondary outcomes were fertilization rate, implantation rate and live birth rate.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was performed of 1565 IVF or ICSI cycles. Outcomes were compared between ovarian stimulation cycles from 2007 when rLH and rFSH was used (n = 765) to 2006 when rFSH only was used (n-800).
Results:
Improved outcomes were found for rLH + rFSH versus rFSH alone for; pregnancy rate (61% and 54% respectively, p = 0.006), live birth rate (49% and 42% respectively, P = 0.01), fertilization rate (74% versus 72% respectively, p = 0.04 and implantation rate (41% versus 37% respectively, p = 0.03).
Conclusions:
Our large retrospective cohort study showed an improved pregnancy rate and live birth rate with rLH supplementation. This was associated with an improved fertilization and implantation rate and therefore may reflect an improvement in oocyte quality and/or uterine receptivity.
