Successful Live Birth Outcome in A Patient with Empty Follicle Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

Here, we report on a rare case of a successful live birth in a patient with empty follicle syndrome. A 35-year-old woman with ovulatory disorder and a 4-year history of primary infertility conducted in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment in our hospital. The patient experienced six controlled ovarian stimulation cycles. In the first two cycles, despite adequate ovarian response, normal development of multiple follicles, and normal serum estradiol (E2) levels, no oocytes were retrieved from these mature follicles during the aspiration procedure. The patient was diagnosed with “empty follicle syndrome”. Whole exome sequencing (WES) identified a missense mutation in the luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR). In subsequent cycles, we try to increase the trigger dosage, combine gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonist) with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for a dual trigger, supplement with luteinizing hormone (LH)-like active substances during the stimulation process, and extend the time between triggering and oocyte retrieval. In the end, successful oocyte retrieval and pregnancy were achieved.