Effect of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate before embryo transfer on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: a randomized trial

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-HPC) given before embryo transfer on the pregnancy outcome of IVF–embryo transfer (ET) cycles.DesignRandomized controlled study.SettingA university-based hospital IVF unit.Patient(s)One hundred twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing IVF-ET were randomly assigned into treatment and control groups.Intervention(s)In the treatment group, 63 patients received 17-HPC (250 mg, IM), 1 day before ET. The control group consisted of 62 patients who did not receive any injections.Main Outcome Measure(s)Pregnancy and multiple-pregnancy rates.Result(s)The two groups were similar with respect to the age of patients, total dose of FSH, number of oocytes and embryos obtained, and number and quality of embryos transferred. There was no significant difference in the pregnancy rate (34.9% vs. 38.7%) or in the rate of multiple gestation (15.9% vs. 9.7%) between cases and controls, respectively.Conclusion(s)The use of 17-HPC before ET does not appear to affect the outcome of IVF-ET.