Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
OP-IVM: Combining In vitro Maturation after Oocyte Retrieval with Gynecological Surgery
Published on: May 9, 2021
Oral GnRH antagonists for ovulation suppression during ovarian stimulation protocols: systemic review and
Nadav Cohen1,2,3, Ariel Zilbelicht4,5, Chen Nahshon4,5
1Division Reproductive Endocrinology, Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. nadavco@clalit.org.il.
Purpose:
The impact of oral GnRH antagonists on IVF treatment outcomes remains unclear. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of GnRH antagonist over the outcomes of IVF.
Methods:
We performed an electronic search using MEDLINE® with the OvidSP interface PUBMED, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to December 16, 2024. We included experimental and non-experimental studies, assessing the role of oral GnRH during controlled ovarian stimulation protocols. Our main outcomes were cycle cancelation rate and mean number of mature oocytes retrieved at oocyte pickup (OPU) day.
Results:
We included four studies comprising 813 patients, of whom 452 women received oral GnRH antagonists and 294 received injectable subcutaneous GnRH antagonists. No statistical differences were noted in the meta-analysis between each outcome measured (cycle cancelation, mean overall and mature oocytes, fertilization rate, and blastulation rate). Using the GRADE criteria, the overall quality of the existing evidence was determined as moderate.
Conclusions:
This is the first systemic review and meta-analysis to examine the usage of oral GnRH antagonists for ovulation suppression during IVF treatments. Our findings suggest the use of oral GnRH antagonists may be beneficial in infertility treatments; however, caution should be taken, as robust establishment of their effectivity and safety in clinical practice is still pending.
Trial Registration:
Registration Number: PROSPERO study ID: CRD42024599730.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
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...
01:27Ovarian Cycle
01:22Oogenesis
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is...
01:30Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
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...