The following is a summary presentation of recommended recent articles in medical journals

Minimal Stimulation IVF

MILD OVARIAN STIMULATION

(Check, J. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2007 Dec: 24(12): 621-7)

Dr. Jerome Check of Jersey Shore University Medical Center studied the three types of minimal intervention protocols for IVF:

1. Natural cycle

2. Modified natural cycle using FSH boost

3. Minimal FSH stimulation

The study showed that patients with minimal stimulation are more likely to have an egg at the time of retrieval than those who are on a completely natural cycle.

Minimal stimulation was particularly useful in women with elevated Day-3 FSH, especially those younger than 35.  He theorizes that the quality of oocytes in women younger than 35 with baseline FSH >12 is more likely better than that of oocytes from older women with the same FSH levels.

Likewise, minimal stimulation is useful for patients who failed IVF using standard protocols. It is possible that in these patients, conventional stimulation doses produce an abnormal uterine environment that is not favorable to conception.

Dr. Check therefore recommends minimal stimulation IVF as the first choice for patients with normal ovarian reserve (normal baseline FSH/E2) undergoing their first IVF cycle, as well as for patients who failed to conceive using the high-dose protocols.