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Updated: Jul 8, 2025
08:46
Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
6.0K
Luteal phase support in assisted reproductive technology.
Akanksha Garg1,2, Agata P Zielinska1,2, Arthur C Yeung1,2
1Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Nature Reviews. Endocrinology
|December 19, 2023
Summary
Luteal phase support in in vitro fertilization (IVF) is crucial but poorly understood. This review clarifies progesterone
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- In Vitro Fertilization
- Embryology
Background:
- Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples, with IVF being a common treatment.
- IVF ovarian stimulation disrupts the natural luteal phase, impairing implantation and pregnancy.
- Current luteal phase support protocols lack clear optimal parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on luteal phase support in IVF.
- To identify uncertainties and future research directions in optimizing progesterone supplementation.
- To inform evidence-based protocols for luteal phase support.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of physiological luteal phase and IVF-induced alterations.
- Evaluation of hormonal triggers' impact on luteal phase support needs.
- Analysis of endometrial receptivity markers and progesterone pharmacokinetics.
Main Results:
- Supraphysiological ovarian stimulation in IVF leads to a dysfunctional luteal phase.
- Hormonal triggers for oocyte maturation influence the required luteal phase support.
- Understanding endometrial transformation and progesterone's role is key to optimizing support.
Conclusions:
- Luteal phase support with progesterone is essential in IVF but requires further optimization.
- Clarifying optimal timing, dosage, route, and duration of progesterone is critical.
- Future research should focus on personalized luteal phase support strategies.
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