Corifollitropin Alfa Followed by Menotropin for Poor Ovarian Responders Trial

Recently, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology developed a new definition in order to select patients suitable for inclusion in future clinical trials as poor ovarian responders, the so-called "Bologna criteria". However, a limited number of studies has been published to date including patients with poor ovarian response according to the "Bologna criteria", whereas no randomized trial is published or ongoing for this population.

Preliminary reports in "Bologna poor responders" highlight the limited prospects for these women. Natural cycle IVF has been shown to result in disappointingly low live birth rates, regardless of patients' age and ovarian stimulation with widely accepted treatment modalities, e.g. short agonist protocol, did not appear demonstrate substantial benefits.

Nonetheless, despite the disappointing results from the vast majority of the preliminary studies in this population, a recent pilot study by our group has shown that a specific protocol may indeed be a promising option for women of younger age fulfilling the "Bologna criteria". Corifollitropin alfa followed by highly purified hMG in an antagonist protocol demonstrated an ongoing pregnancy rate of 28% in women <40years, strongly suggesting the conduction of a future randomized trial testing this novel treatment protocol

Inclusion criteria

• Age less than 40 years
• Fulfillment of the "Bologna criteria" for poor ovarian response.

Based on inclusion criteria two patients' categories are eligible:

• Women < 40 years old AND ≤3 oocytes in one of the previous cycles AND (Antral follicle count <7 or antimullerian hormone serum values <1.1 ng/ml)
• Women <40 years old and ≤3 oocytes in two the previous cycles with maximum ovarian stimulation

In addition women less than 40 years old will be considered eligible if they had undergone previous ovarian surgery or chemotherapy (risk factors for poor ovarian response) and have an AMH<1.1ng/ml or an AFC<7, as suggested by the Bologna criteria

Exclusion criteria

• Uterine abnormalities
• Recent history of any current untreated endocrine abnormality
• Unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx (visible on transvaginal ultrasound, unless clipped)
• Contraindications for the use of gonadotropins
• Recent history of severe disease requiring regular treatment