Background: Poor ovarian response is defined as the collection of three or fewer oocytes in two prior ovarian stimulation
cycles, or collection of three or fewer oocytes in a single stimulation cycle from a woman who is over 40 years of age, or
collection of three or fewer oocytes in a single stimulation cycle and an abnormal ovarian reserve test. We aimed to determine
if in poor responders’ patients, the SAS stimulation protocol allows for a better number of oocytes, mature oocytes, total
embryos at D2 and usable embryos in comparison with the last previous IVF attempt within the same patients.
Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective observational study on 56 women aged ≥ 18 and < 43 years
who undergo an IVF protocol with the “short agonist stop” (SAS) protocol compared with the same patients’ previous
performance in their last IVF attempt. Enrolled patients were treated in two consecutive cycles. The first attempt was
achieved with a standard protocol. Patients for whom the standard protocol has failed were treated in the subsequent cycle
with the SAS protocol.
Results: Regarding the cumulative outcomes, ongoing pregnancy rate was significantly higher in SAS protocol compared
to IVF protocol (0% vs. 12.5%, P=0.026). Number of cumulative ET, cancellation before oocyte pick, no usable embryo,
biochemical pregnancy, and miscarriage rate were insignificantly different between both protocols.
Conclusion: The SAS stimulation protocol may offer promising results for poor responders with low prognosis and
previous failed IVF.