Clinical efficacy of highly purified urinary FSH versus recombinant FSH in volunteers undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization: a randomized, multicenter, investigator-blind trial

Objective

To compare the efficacy of highly purified human urinary follicle stimulating hormone (HP-hFSH) versus human recombinant follitropin-alpha (rFSH) in volunteers undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF.

Design

A randomized, controlled, investigator-blind trial.

Setting

Four assisted reproductive technology centers.

Patient(s)

One hundred fifty-two IVF patients.

Intervention(s)

Volunteers, aged 18–39, were randomized to HP-hFSH (n = 76) versus rFSH (n = 76) at a starting dose of 300 IU in down-regulated cycles.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Number of oocytes, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate with HP-hFSH versus rFSH.

Result(s)

The total IU of gonadotropin used did not differ between the two groups. There was no difference in number of oocytes retrieved with HP-hFSH (mean = 16.3) compared with rFSH (mean = 17.1), confidence interval (CI) of difference = −3.79 to +2.18. Clinical pregnancy rate, as defined by the presence of a gestational sac, was 48.7% (CI = 37.0%–60.4%) with HP-hFSH versus 44.7% (CI = 33.3%–56.6%) with rFSH (CI of difference = −11.9% to +19.8%). Live birth rate was 38.2% (29 of 76) in both groups (CI = 27.2%–50.0%), for a difference between groups of 0.0% (CI of the difference = −15.4% to +15.4%).

Conclusion(s)

There were no statistically significant differences in mean oocyte number, clinical pregnancy rate, or live birth rate between HP-hFSH versus rFSH.

Key Words: IVF, clinical outcome, highly purified urinary FSH, recombinant FSH, pregnancy