The effectiveness of transdermal testosterone gel 1% (androgel) for poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilization

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of transdermal androgel before using controlled ovarian stimulation on patient undergoing IVF. Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of treatment with transdermal testosterone gel (TTG) 1%(androgel) before ovarian stimulation (COS) using GnRH antagonist in low responders undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICCSI)s Design: prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting: Aarogya hospital (IVF CLINIC) Delhi/ vaishali. Study: A total of 60 low responder, who were defined as patient who failed to produce <3 follicles with a mean diameter of < 16 mm with the result that <3 oocytes were retrieved despite the use of a high gonadotropin dose in a previous failed IVF/ICSI cycle from 1.1.17 to 31.3.18 (15 months). Intervention(s): Patient were randomized into TTG pretreatment group and control group. Fot TTG pretreatment group, 12.5mg TTG were applied daily for 21 days in the cycle preceding COS for IVF. Main outcome measure(s): COS result and IVF outcome. Result: There were no differences in patients characteristics between the two group. Total dose of FSH used were significantly fewer in the TTG pretreatment group than in the control group. The number of oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes, fertilized oocytes, and good quality embryos were significantly higher in the TTG pretreatment group. Embryos implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate per cycle also were significantly higher in the women pretreated with TTG. No patient reported adverse effects attributed to TTG use. Conclusion(s): TTG pretreatment might be beneficial in improving both response to COS and IVF outcome in low responders undergoing IVF/ICSI. (fertil steril 2011;95:679-83. 2011 by American society for reproductive medicine).