Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin intrauterine injection on oocyte retrieval day on assisted reproductive techniques outcomes: An RCT

Background: Several mediators play an important role in implantation. One of these mediators is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
Objective: To evaluate the effects of HCG intrauterine injection on the day of oocyte retrieval on the result of assisted reproductive techniques (ART).
Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 126 women who were referred to Afzalipour Infertility Center between December 2018 to December 2019 undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were enrolled and assigned to two groups of: a case (n = 62) and a control group (n = 64). The protocols for both groups were the same; except that the case group was injected with the protocols for both groups were the same, except that the case group was injected with 1000 IU of HCG into uterine cavity following the oocyte puncture, while no medication was administered to the control group. The implantation rate, chemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and abortion rates were compared between the two groups.
Results: Positive chemical pregnancy was seen in 15 (27.3%) cases of the case group and 14 (25.5%) of the control group. No significant difference was seen in the chemical and clinical pregnancy rates between the groups. The abortion rate was higher in the control group but that was not significant.
Conclusion: A 1000 IU of HCG intrauterine injection after oocyte retrieval does not improve implantation, chemical or clinical pregnancy rates in ART cycles. Further studies are needed to clearly understand the role of HCG intrauterine injection in the day of oocyte retrieval in ART outcomes.

Keywords
Oocyte retrieval; Chorionic gonadotropin; Pregnancy; Assisted reproductive techniques.