Cryopreserved-thawed human embryo transfer: spontaneous natural cycle is superior to human chorionic gonadotropin-induced natural cycle

Objective: To assess whether there is a difference in the ongoing pregnancy rate after transferring frozen-thawed embryos in natural cycles with spontaneous LH-P rise compared with natural cycles controlled by hCG for final oocyte maturation and ovulation. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patient(s): A total of 168 patients were assigned randomly to undergo frozen ET on day 3 from October 2007 until November 2008. Finally, analysis was performed in 124 patients; 61 belonged to the spontaneous LH group and 63 to the hCG group. Intervention(s): In the spontaneous LH group the transfer was planned 5 days after the LH surge. In the hCG group, the cryopreserve ET was planned 5 days after the administration of 5000 IU of hCG, when an endometrial thickness of >= 7 mm and a follicle of >= 17 mm were present on ultrasound examination. Main Outcome Measure(s): Ongoing pregnancy rate. Result(s): The study was terminated early, when a prespecified interim analysis found a significantly higher ongoing pregnancy rate in the spontaneous LH group as compared with the hCG group (31.1% vs. 14.3%; difference 16.9%, 95% confidence interval 4.4%-28.8%). Conclusion(s): The results suggest the superiority of the natural cycle as compared with the natural cycle controlled by hCG administration in cryothawed ET cycles. (Fertil Steril (R) 2010;94:2054-8. (C) 2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)