Patients in the group A received a long protocol of pituitary down-regulation with triptorelin (Decapeptyl; Ferring, Switzerland) which started on day 21 of preceding cycle at a dose of 0.1 mg/day. On the second day of menstruation HMG was started and this was associated with reduction of triptorelin to 0.05 mg/day. This reduced daily dose was administered until the day hCG was given. Growth hormone co-treatment was administrated on day 6 of HMG stimulation daily in a dose of 2.5 mg S.C. till the day of hCG administration.

The short agonist protocol was started on cycle day 1 with triptorelin (Decapeptyl Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Germany) 0.05 mg/day S.C. Human menopausal gonadotropin IM daily (HMG 75 IU, Merional, IBSA) were also administered starting from days 2 to 3 of cycle. The dose was adjusted for each patient according to the diameter of the follicles detected in their follow up ultrasound. Growth hormone (Norditropin, Novo nordisk) was administrated on day 6 of HMG stimulation daily in a dose of 2.5 mg S.C. till the day of hCG administration.

Gonadotrophins IM daily (HMG 75 IU, Merional, IBSA)was administrated from day 2 of the cycle. Growth hormone (Norditropin, Novo nordisk) was administrated on day 6 of HMG stimulation daily in a dose of 2.5 mg S.C. till the day of hCG administration. The GnRH antagonist (Cetrotide) was given when the leading follicle was from 12 to 14 mm, at a daily dose of 0.25 mg SC.

Number of oocytes retrieved on the day of vaginal egg collection guided by trans vaginal ultrasound scan , 35 hours after hCG administration.