Oocyte Quality and Blastocyst Formation Rate with Dual Stimulation in Patients Belonging to POSEIDON Groups 3 and 4: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

AIM: To evaluate the oocyte retrieval rate and blastocyst formation rate with DuoStim protocol in patients belonging to POSEIDON groups 3 and 4.

METHODS: This observational, retrospective, single-center study including 90 patients belonging to POSEIDON groups 3 and 4 was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from October 2017 to March 2020. Patients were allocated into two groups based on POSEIDON classification criteria: group A (POSEIDON group 3) and group B (POSEIDON group 4). DuoStim protocol was performed with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) at 225 IU and 300 IU in groups A and B, respectively. Study groups were again subdivided by considering the phase in which stimulation had been done [follicular phase stimulation (FPS) and luteal phase stimulation (LPS)], and then, inference was made accordingly in terms of oocytes retrieval rate and blastocysts formation rate. Data were compiled and analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 20.

RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of two groups were compatible with POSEIDON groups 3 and 4. A significant difference was found between study groups with respect to age and anti-mullerian hormone levels ( p  < 0.05). Significantly, a greater number of oocytes and blastocysts were obtained in LPS stage, substantially more in group A (3.69 ± 3.4 vs. 4.52 ± 4.3 and 1.36 ± 0.65 vs. 3.17 ± 1.84) than group B (2.2 ± 1.36 vs. 3.6 ± 4.5 and 0.41 ± 0.8 vs. 1.29 ± 2.04). A greater blastulation rate (50 vs. 66.7% and 33.3 vs. 50%) and 100% oocyte maturity rate were observed in LPS stage of both the study groups.

CONCLUSION: In patients belonging to POSEIDON groups 3 and 4, the number of oocytes retrieved and blastocyst formation rate were greater in LPS stage when compared to FPS with DuoStim protocol.