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

H. Gholami*, E. Vicari°, M. Molis†, S. La Vignera°, E. Papaleo§, F. Cappiello†

*A.S.I.C., Rome (Italy) °UOC Endocrinology and Andrology, Catania University, Catania (Italy) †Villa del Sole clinic, “Sterility and Reproduction biology” Centre, Neaples (Italy) §Centro Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan (Italy)

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• Endocrinology
• Obstetrics

Abstract. – 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 Interventions: Long Protocol-controlled ovarian stimulation with human derived FSH or recombinant FSH for IVF-ET.
Main Outcome Measures: Primary end-points 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.

Corresponding Author: Hossein Gholami, MD; e-mail: gholami@fastwebnet.it