To investigate the effect of growth hormone (GH) on the ovulation therapy during luteal phase of the the elderly patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

Totally 156 DOR infertility patients aged≥35 years who suffered in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) were included in the study. They were divided into study group (utilizing GH) and control group (without GH used). The duration and dosage of gonadotropin (Gn) used, the number of oocytes retrieved, endometrial thickness before transplantation, two pronucleus (2PN) fertilization rate, good-quality embryo rate and implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and cumlative pregnancy rate were compared between the two groups.

There were statistically significant differences in the duration and total dosage of Gn used, endometrial thickness before transplantation between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in E₂ level, the number of oocytes retrieved, 2PN fertilization rate, good-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative pregnancy rate (P>0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate was 28.0% in study group and 19.4% in the control. The cumulative pregnancy rate was 33.3% in study group and 20.0% in the control. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05), but the clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative pregnancy rate had an upward trend.

GH can significantly reduce the duration and dosage of Gn used in DOR patients aged≥35 years old and increase endometrial thickness. Clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative pregnancy rate in GH used group has an improvement trend.

Growth hormone (GH); Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR); Antagonist protocol; Luteal phase