The effect of LH rise during artificial frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles

• Main Authors: Samer Khoury (Author), Einav Kadour-Peero (Author), Ilan Calderon (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Bioscientifica, 2021-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: https://doi.org/10.1530/RAF-21-0017; 2633-8386
• Keywords: lh; clinical pregnancy; artificial; frozen embryo; Reproduction; QH471-489; Gynecology and obstetrics; RG1-991
• Source: Reproduction and Fertility, Vol 2, Iss 3, Pp 231-235 (2021)

Purpose: To evaluate the association between a rise in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels during artificial frozen- thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles and clinical pregnancy rate. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of women undergoing artificial FET cycles. We compared cycles in which LH double itself from the early follicular phase and further (group A) to cycles without a rise in LH (group B). Endometrium preparation was achieved by administration of 2 mg three times per day estradiol valerate tablets. Embryo transfer (ET) was conducted after achieving endometrial thickness > 7 mm and vaginal progesterone was added according to the embryo's age. A beta-hCG was measured 13-14 days after ET. Clinical pregnancy was diagnosed on transvaginal ultrasound. Results: Data from 984-FET cycles were retrieved. LH, exogenous estradiol (E2), progesterone values, endometrial thickness, and pregnancy outcomes were available in all patients. From 984-FET cycles, 629 (63.9%) had a doubling, and 355 (36.07%) had no rise in LH. Patients mean age was 30 years, similar in both groups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was calculated to assess the effect of LH rise and pregnancy outcomes, after adjusting for confounders including a rise in E2 level and endometrial thickness. In this model, there was no association between doubling LH values and pregnancy rates (adjusted odds ratio: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.75-1.5, P = 0.74). Conclusion: LH rise during artificial FET cycles does not alter pregnancy rates. Apparently, hormonal monitoring of LH levels may not yield useful information in the artificial FET cycle and may be omitted.