20 gauge ovum aspiration needles

Controlled stimulation for IVF cycles was performed with a mild stimulation protocol using a combination of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist and gonadotropins. Patients received 150 IU of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (Gonal-F; Merck Serono, Darmstadt, Germany) alone as a daily injection from cycle day 3 until the day when human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was administered. The GnRH antagonist (Cetrotide, Merck Serono) was initiated on the day when the leading follicle reached a diameter of 14 mm. Ovarian follicular development was monitored by transvaginal ultrasonography. When the leading follicles reached ≥18 mm in maximum diameter, as detected by sonography, ovulation was induced by injecting 250 µg of hCG (Ovidrel, Merck Serono). Oocyte retrieval was performed using 20-gauge ovum aspiration needles (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA) under standard transvaginal ultrasound guidance 35–36 hours after hCG administration. The luteal phase was supported by progesterone injection or vaginal gel (Crinone, Merck Serono). A serum β-hCG test was performed about 2 weeks after oocyte retrieval. Clinical pregnancy was confirmed by the visualization of a gestational sac. Ongoing pregnancy was defined as a pregnancy that was maintained for over 20 weeks of gestation.

Controlled stimulation during IVF was performed with a mild stimulation protocol using a combination of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist and gonadotropins [21 (link)]. Patients received 150 IU of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (Gonal-F; Merck Serono, Rome, Italy) alone as a daily injection from cycle day 3 until the day when human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was administered, or with an additional combination of human menopausal gonadotropin (IVF-M; LG Lifesciences, Iksan, Korea) according to age, weight, ovarian reserve, and preresponse to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. The GnRH antagonist (cetrorelix, 0.25 mg; Cetrotide, Merck Serono) was initiated on the day when the leading follicle reached a diameter of 14 mm. Ovarian follicular development was monitored by transvaginal ultrasonography. When two or more follicles were ≥18 mm in maximum diameter, as detected by sonography, 10,000 IU of hCG (Pregnyl; NV Organon, Oss, The Netherlands) was administered. Oocyte retrieval was performed using 20-gauge ovum aspiration needles (Cook Medical, Queensland, Australia) under standard transvaginal ultrasound guidance 35–36 hours after hCG administration.