Randomized Prospective Controlled Non-inferiority Trial of Low-dose Clomiphene Based Antagonist Protocol vs. High Dose Gonadotropin/Antagonist Protocol for IVF Poor Responders

The objective of this protocol is to prospectively evaluate whether a clomid-based, low dose gonadotropin protocol (225 IU) would be non-inferior in terms of mature oocyte yield (eggs that are ready to be fertilized) as compared to a high-dose protocol.

Patients meeting the criteria for poor ovarian response will be consented and randomized to either a stimulation protocol involving pretreatment with a 0.1mg estradiol patch in the luteal phase starting 10 days after the LH surge (the hormone released by the brain to cause ovulation to occur, which is detectable in urine) followed by oral clomiphene citrate 100mg on days 2-6 of the menstrual cycle and 225 international units of gonadotropins starting on day 5, or to the control group involving the same pretreatment with 0.1mg luteal estradiol patches starting 10 days after the LH surge, with high dose gonadotropins (600IU) alone, starting on day 2 of the cycle. After randomization, patients will undergo routine IVF procedures, monitoring, blood draws, cancellation criteria, oocyte retrieval, and embryo transfer as non-study participants.