Does subtle progesterone rise on the day of HCG affect pregnancy rate in long agonist ICSI cycles?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of subtle progesterone (P4) rise on the day of HCG on pregnancy outcome in ICSI patients stimulated with long agonist protocol.

METHODS

One hundred forty-nine consecutive controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles for ICSI using long luteal agonist protocol.

RESULTS

Mean serum progesterone on day of hCG was 0.88+/-0.51 ng/mL values > or =1 ng/mL were found in 34.2% of cycles. Serum E2 on day of hCG and number of oocytes retrieved were significantly higher in the group with P4 > or = 1 ng/mL. The area under ROC for serum progesterone in prediction of pregnancy was 0.52, indicating that within the values studied, serum progesterone on day of hCG is not predictive of pregnancy outcome.

CONCLUSION

P4 values > or =1 ng/mL on day of hCG are common in long agonist ICSI cycles particularly with high response. Within the P4 values encountered in this study, implantation and pregnancy rates are not adversely affected.