The role of preparatory cycles in ovum donation recipients: A retrospective study

Purpose: To determine whether preparatory cycles affect in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome in ovum donation. Methods: Medical records of 98 ovum donation recipients undergoing their first egg donation cycle were analyzed retrospectively. Preparatory cycles were performed in 50 patients with leuprolide acetate, estrogen, and progesterone. An endometrial biopsy was performed on day 10-12 of progesterone supplementation, to determine adequacy of the preparatory cycle. Results: Pregnancy rates in women with and without preparatory cycles were 42.0% and 43.8%, respectively. Among ovum donation recipients who underwent preparatory cycles, the percentages of adequate endometrial biopsies in pregnant versus nonpregnant groups were 76.2% and 84.3%, respectively. No results showed statistical significance. Conclusions: Preparatory cycles do not increase pregnancy rates in ovum donation recipients. In addition, no correlation was noted between adequate endometrial biopsies and higher pregnancy rates.