Ovarian Stimulation with Pure Follicle-stimulating Hormone/human Menopausal Gonadotropin and Improved Laparoscopic Aspiration Needles Influence the Success of an in Vitro Fertilization Program

The effect of a combined pure follicle-stimulating hormone/human menopausal gonadotropin (pFSH/hMG) ovarian stimulation regimen and modified, sharpened laparoscopic follicular aspiration needles on the number of oocytes retrieved and the oocyte/follicle ratio in 43 consecutive cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF) were retrospectively compared with 99 consecutive preceeding cycles stimulated with hMG alone and captured with aspiration needles that had never been sharpened. A modified laparoscopic follicular aspiration needle is described. Purified FSH/hMG ovarian stimulation significantly improved the mean serum estradiol levels, number of preovulatory follicles, and, therefore, the total number of oocytes recovered per cycle. The mean ratios of oocytes recovered per preovulatory follicle documented on ultrasound, and per aspirated follicle, increased significantly using sharpened needles. Both modifications improved the success rate of our IVF program.