Follicle-stimulating Hormone For Ovarian Stimulation Research Articles

The cumulative live birth rate of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone alfa verse urinary human follicle-stimulating hormone for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproductive technology cycles

BackgroundInfertility remains a significant public health concern. An issue with controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) is the selection of an exogenous gonadotropin (Gn) regimen, which is mainly based on urinary follicle-stimulating hormone (uFSH), recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone alfa (rFSH-alfa), and human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG). In addition, most previous studies focused on the clinical pregnancy rates or live birth rates (LBR) per transfer cycle, but not on the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) per started cycle. The CLBR, appears to be a more comprehensive and accurate universal measure of IVF treatment success. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) between rFSH-alfa and uFSH regimens for ovarian stimulation.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist long protocol between March 2009 and December 2018. Patients were grouped according to the Gn regimen received (rFSH-alfa or uFSH). The main outcome was CLBR, which defined as the first live birth following the use of all fresh and frozen embryos derived from a single COS cycle.ResultsA total of 1078 cycles were analyzed (314 with rFSH-alfa and 764 with uFSH). The rFSH-alfa group was characterized by a higher number of retrieved oocytes (13.3 vs. 11.0) and transferable embryos (5.0 vs. 4.0), a higher fresh embryo transfer rate (35.0% vs. 26.3%), and a higher multiple birth rate among the fresh embryo transfer cycles (8.2% vs. 2.5%) (P < 0.05). There were no differences in pregnancy rate (32.7% vs. 33.8%) and LBR (25.5% vs. 26.9%) per transfer cycle (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found in clinical outcomes among the frozen embryo transfer cycles (P > 0.05). The CLBR per started cycle in the rFSH-alfa group was higher than in the uFSH group (53.5% vs. 43.1%, P < 0.05). After adjustment, rFSH-alfa was independently associated with a higher CLBR (OR = 1.56; 95%CI = 1.18–2.05; P = 0.0018).ConclusionsrFSH-alfa and uFSH have similar pregnancy rates and LBR per transfer cycle, rFSH-alfa might achieve more transferrable blastocysts and higher CLBR per started cycle compared to uFSH.

A Comparison of Outcomes from In Vitro Fertilization Cycles Stimulated with Follicle Stimulating Hormone Plus either Recombinant Luteinizing Hormone or Human Menopausal Gonadotropins in Subjects Treated with Long Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist Protocols.

BackgroundThis study compared rates of pregnancy and in vitro fertilization (IVF) parameters in subjects stimulated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) plus either recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-LH) or human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in a long gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist IVF protocol.Materials and MethodsThis cohort study enrolled patients who underwent IVF stimu- lation with a long GnRH agonist protocol and received FSH plus r-LH or hMG. Outcomes measured included: FSH and LH doses, number of oocytes and embryos obtained, pregnancy rate per cycle, and clinical pregnancy rate per cycle. Stepwise logistic regression was performed on continuous and categorical variables to control for confounding effects between all variables analyzed.ResultsThere were 122 patients who underwent 122 IVF cycles with long GnRH agonist protocols. Similar baseline parameters existed between groups. Patients that received r-LH required a lower FSH dose (3207 ± 1300 IU) for stimulation compared to the group that received hMG (4213 ± 1576 IU, P=0.0001). The LH dose was also lower in these patients (1332 ± 587 IU) compared to the patients who received hMG (1938 ± 1110 IU, P=0.0001). The number of days of stimulation did not differ between groups (P=1.0). The group that received r-LH also had statistically higher numbers of oocytes (14.4 ± 6.3) and embryos (7.9 ± 4.8) compared to the hMG group with 11.0 ± 5.3 oocytes and 6.0 ± 3.7 embryos. Pregnancy rates per cycle start were higher for patients in the r-LH group (49%) compared to the hMG group (27%, P=0.025). Patients that received r-LH had higher implantation rates (62%) compared to the hMG group (33%, P=0.001). The r-LH group had a higher trend toward clinical pregnancy rates per cycle start (39%) compared to the hMG group (25%, P=0.065).Conclusionr-LH may offer benefits compared to hMG when combined with FSH for ovarian stimulation in long GnRH agonist protocols in good responders. Prospective studies should be undertaken to confirm these results.

Clinical outcomes in relation to the daily dose of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone for ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilization in presumed normal responders younger than 39 years: a meta-analysis

The optimal ovarian stimulation dose to obtain the best balance between the probability of pregnancy and the risk of complications, while maximizing cost-effectiveness of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, is yet to be established. A systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane library, from 1984 until October 2009 for randomized controlled trials comparing different doses of recombinant FSH in IVF, was performed. Ten studies (totaling 1952 IVF cycles) were included in the present meta-analysis, comprising patients younger than 39 years with regular menstrual cycle, normal basal FSH levels and two normal ovaries. Comparison was made between studies using a daily dose of 100 versus 200 IU recFSH, and between 150 versus 200 IU recFSH or higher. Although oocyte yield was greater in the >200 IU/day dose group, pregnancy rates were similar compared with lower dose groups. The risk of insufficient response to ovarian stimulation was greatest in the 100 IU/day dose group. The risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was greater in the >200 IU/day dose group. The number of embryos available for cryopreservation was lowest in the 100 IU/day group, but similar comparing the 150 IU/day and the >200 IU/day dose groups. This meta-analysis suggests that the optimal daily recFSH stimulation dose is 150 IU/day in presumed normal responders younger than 39 years undergoing IVF. Compared with higher doses, this dose is associated with a slightly lower oocyte yield, but similar pregnancy and embryo cryopreservation rates. Furthermore, the wide spread adherence to this optimal dose will allow for a considerable reduction in IVF costs and complications.

The use of a 100 IU starting dose of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (Puregon) in in-vitro fertilization.

We report the use of an initial low dose (100 IU) ofrecombinant follicle stimulating hormone for ovarianstimulation in a group of 43 unselected patients undergoingIVF or ICSI.Key words: FSH/IVF/low dose stimulation/ovary/ovulationinductionIntroductionDosage regimens currently employed in women undergoingcontrolled ovarian stimulation prior to intracytoplasmic sperminjection (ICSI) or conventional in-vitro fertilization (IVF),include gonadotrophin starting doses of either 150 IU or 225IU. This routine has been based on empirical evidence ratherthan on the results of randomized controlled trials.Recently, recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) preparations have become available (Puregon; NVOrganon, Oss, The Netherlands; and Gonal-F; Ares–Serono,Geneva, Switzerland) that will eventually replace the existingurinary-derived compounds. For one of these preparations,Puregon, it has been shown that it has a higher bioactivitythan urinary FSH (Metrodin; Ares–Serono), resulting in ahigher number of oocytes retrieved for IVF and a shorterduration of treatment in clomiphene-resistant anovulatorypatients (Out et al., 1995; Coelingh Bennink et al., 1998). Forthat reason, 75 IU ampoules of that preparation have beenreplaced by 50 IU ampoules in order to decrease the risks ofoverstimulation.In this study, we report for the first time results in patientsundergoing ovarian stimulation who have been treated with100 IU of recombinant FSH (Puregon) for the first 4 days.Materials and methods