Down-regulation and ovarian stimulation
The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and oestradiol on menstrual days 2–5 were measured by the in-house embryologist pre-intervention to assess the ovarian "backups" using automated "mini Vida" hormone assay machine. A transvaginal ultrasound was done before starting the GnRH agonist on the 21Long-protocol down-regulation procedure started on day 21 with an injection of 3.6 mg goserelin (ZoladexFor women on self-ovum treatment and the ovum donors, multiple-follicular growth stimulation was achieved using human-menopausal-gonadotrophin (MenopourWomen requiring ovum donation were started on oestradiol valerate 4 mg three times daily (Oestrafert