Down-regulation started on day 20 of the previous cycle by GnRH agonist triptorelin (0.5 µg Decapeptyl; Ferring). On the second day of menstruation, when down regulation was confirmed (as evidenced by endometrial thickness <5 mm and/or E2 levels <50 pg/mL) using transvaginal sonography (TVS) by Voluson 730 Pro (GE, Fairfield, CT) apparatus, gonadotropin (Merional; IBSA) was commenced at an initial dose of 300-450 IU/day for the first 5 days followed by individual adjustment in Gn dose according to ovarian response and the dose of Decapeptyl 50µg/day was continued until day of HCG administration.

OCPs drospirenone /ethinyl estradiol (Yasmin, BAYER) for not less than 21 days before starting ovarian stimulation, this was followed by 2 days free. Triptorelin (Decapeptyl Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Germany) 0.05 mg/day S.C. was then started daily followed by HMG IM daily (Merional, 75 IU, IBSA) 3 days later. Then the same cycle adjustment was done as the minidose long protocol.