Efficacy of dual progesterone administration (intramuscular and vaginal) for luteal support in fresh day 3 or day 4 embryo transfer cycles

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare in vitro fertilization outcomes between fresh day 3 or day 4 embryo transfer cycles with dual progesterone (P) administration (intramuscular and vaginal) and cycles with single intramuscular P administration for luteal support. METHODS: We selected 124 cycles from 100 women (under age 40 years) who underwent oocyte pick-up (number of trials ≤ 3, 4–14 oocytes obtained) and transfer of two or three day 3 or day 4 embryos at two infertility centers from January 2014 to June 2019. Dual P (intramuscular P [50 mg] daily+vaginal P) was used in 52 cycles and a single intramuscular administration of P (50 mg daily) was used in 72 cycles. RESULTS: Women’s age, infertility factors, number of oocytes retrieved, number of transferred embryos, and mean embryo score were similar between the dual P group and the single P group. Although the number of trial cycles was significantly higher (1.9 vs. 1.5), and the mean endometrial thickness on the trigger day (10.0 mm vs. 11.0 mm) was significantly lower in the dual P group, the implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, and miscarriage rate for both day 3 and day 4 transfers were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In fresh day 3 or day 4 embryo transfer cycles, dual P administration did not demonstrate any clinical advantages. Intramuscular P alone appears to be sufficient for luteal support.