GnRH agonist improves CLBR after one IVF cycle: a propensity score-matched and molecular mechanism study

Doctors are not sure how well one of the methods used for IVF treatment - the GnRH antagonist method - works. It uses drugs to temporarily block brain signals to the ovaries, controlling egg maturation and preventing early egg release (critical for IVF success). It is not known how effective this method is at achieving pregnancy or live birth. We analyzed previous data and lab tests to guide doctors using this method. Results showed that another common method - the GnRH agonist method (using drugs that first boost then lower brain signals to ovaries to control eggs) - had much higher pregnancy rates and LBRs per fresh embryo transfer cycle than the GnRH antagonist one. Data showed three key factors affected the cumulative LBR: the ovarian stimulation plan used, the patient's age, and the thickness of their womb lining (where embryos attach). Overall, the GnRH antagonist method may lead to lower LBRs (per transfer and per cycle) than the agonist one - most likely because it makes the womb lining less able to support embryos.