Journal of Fertilization: In Vitro - IVF-Worldwide, Reproductive Medicine, Genetics & Stem Cell Biol
Open Access

Abstract

Luteal-phase Ovarian Stimulation Case Report: Three-Year Follow-up of a Twin Birth

Yanping Kuang, Qiuju Chen, Qingqing Hong, Qifeng Lyu, Yonglun Fu, Ai Ai and Zeev Shoham

This unique study shows favorable outcomes to embryos developed from eggs retrieved following luteal phase stimulation and the children born from these eggs.
A 40-year-old woman with a 10-year history of primary infertility was given hMG 150IU and letrozole 2.5 mg from cycle day 3 onwards. Her cycle transitioned into the luteal phase beginning on cycle day 10 as indicated by high serum progesterone levels. Follicle growth continued with hMG stimulation. GnRH agonist was given for the final stage of oocyte maturation. During collection, four mature oocytes were obtained and two top-quality embryos were vitrified for cryopreservation. Two months later, the two embryos were thawed and transferred during a natural cycle, creating a twin pregnancy and a favorable delivery. Three-year follow up showed that physical and psychomotor development of the twin babies were in the normal range of children conceived naturally. This case report documents that embryos developed following luteal-phase ovarian stimulation reached viability and child development was
found to be normal up to three years following birth. This study opens the door to the possibility of successful outcomes from luteal phase stimulation. This has a great potential for patients who did not respond well during the follicular phase, but most importantly, for newly diagnosed cancer patients who need immediate fertility preservation, i.e., to quickly produce viable oocytes.