Comparison of recombinant and urinary follicle-stimulating hormone preparations in short-term gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist protocol for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

PURPOSE: To compare the efficiency and efficacy of two recombinant human FSH (r-FSH) and urinary (u-FSH) preparations in patients undergoing superovulation for IVF-ET using a short-term gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) (Triptorelin) protocol. METHODS: A total of 88 women undergoing IVF-ET were included in this prospective study. They were randomized to receive u-FSH (150 IU/d), follitropin-alpha (100 IU/d), or follitropin-beta (100 IU/d) for 2 days, and dosages were subsequently adjusted according to the ovarian response. RESULTS: The FSH dose required for the overall stimulation was significantly lower in patients treated with r-FSH than in those treated with u-FSH while serum FSH values were higher in the latter group. There were no statistically significant differences in ovarian response and IVF outcome between r-FSH preparations. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant FSH preparations have a higher efficiency than urinary ones in patients undergoing IVF-ET using a short-term GnRH-a protocol. In this situation, the two recombinant follitropins have comparable effectiveness.