Objective To systematically review the effectiveness of letrozole combined with GnRH antagonist for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in poor responders. Methods Such databases as VIP, CNKI, PubMed, EMbase and FMJS were electronically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs on the effectiveness of letrozole combined with GnRH antagonist for IVF-ET. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software. Results Six studies involving 977 patients were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, for IVF-ET poor responders, compared with the control group, the letrozole combined with GnRH antagonist group had less dosage of Gn (MD=–8.05, 95%CI –13.67 to –2.43, P=0.005), and lower serum E2 value on the day of HCG administration (MD= –1 026.41, 95%CI –1 949.61 to –103.20, P=0.03). However, no significant difference was found in the number of ocytes obtained (MD= –0.61, 95%CI –2.41 to –1.19, P=0.51) and clinical pregnancy rates (OR=1.03, 95%CI 0.53 to 2.02, P=0.92) between the two groups. Conclusion As for the effectiveness of impelling-ovulation treatment for IVF-ET in poor responders, letrozole combined with GnRH antagonist is similar to the control scheme in clinical outcomes, but it reduces the dosage of Gn and treatment costs of IVF-ET, which provides another clinical option for poor responders. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies as well as the difference in methodology, we suggest this above conclusion could be taken as a reference for clinical analysis which needs to be further evaluated in its effects.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of adjuvant growth hormone (GH) in IVF protocols.MethodsCBM, WanFang Data, CNKI, VIP, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of adjuvant GH in IVF protocols from inception to October 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, then, the meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 10 RCTs involving 691 infertile females were included. Results of meta-analysis demonstrated that adjuvant GH in IVF protocols could increase collected oocytes number (MD=1.58, 95%CI 1.29 to 1.87, P<0.000 01), MⅡ stage oocytes number (MD=2.26, 95%CI 1.77 to 2.74, P<0.000 01), implantation rate (RR=1.20, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.40, P=0.03), clinical pregnancy rate (RR=1.46, 95%CI 1.08 to 1.98, P=0.01) and live birth rate (RR=1.62, 95%CI 1.05 to 2.51, P=0.03). However, there was no difference in fertilization rate (RR=1.06, 95%CI 0.97 to 1.16, P<0.18), miscarriage rate (RR=1.44, 95%CI 0.65 to 3.17, P=0.37) and adverse reactions between two groups.ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that GH can improve the fertility outcomes of IVF cycles in patients with POR, elderly or previous IVF failures. But due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify the above conclusion.