Pregnancy outcome following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in women aged < 37, undergoing ovulation induction with human FSH compared with recombinant FSH: a randomised controlled study.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the pregnancy outcome in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles, using human derived follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or recombinant FSH for ovarian stimulation protocols.

DESIGN

Prospective, multi-centre, randomized controlled trial.

PATIENTS: 115 infertile patients undergoing a first attempt of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were: female age < 37 years and use of GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) for pituitary downregulation.

INTERVENTIONS: Long Protocol-controlled ovarian stimulation with human derived FSH or recombinant FSH for IVF-ET.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary endpoints were implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and spontaneous abortion rate. Secondary end-points were total units of FSH injected, days of stimulation, peak estradiol levels at point of hCG administration, mean number of oocytes at pick-up, fertilization rate and cleavage rate.

RESULTS

No statistically significantly differences in pregnancy outcomes were found in the patients receiving hFSH in comparison to patients receiving rFSH.

CONCLUSIONS

This study did not demonstrate a difference between the use of h-FSH vs r-FSH for ovarian stimulation in terms of pregnancy outcome, in good prognosis patients undergoing their first IVF-ET procedure.