Superovulation before IVF by recombinant versus urinary human FSH (combined with a long GnRH analog protocol): A comparative study

Benjamin Fisch*, Ori M. Avrech, Haim Pinkas, Alexander Neri, Onit Rufas, Jardena Ovadia, E. Loumaye

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Gonal-F (Serono, Aubonne, Switzerland) is a recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesized in vitro by cells into which genes encoding for FSH subunits have been inserted. This preparation exhibits physiochemical, immunological, and pharmacological properties that bear great similarity to those of native human FSH. It has a high specific activity and can be administered subcutaneously. To compare the efficacy and safety of Gonal-F with those of urinary human FSH (Metrodin; Serono) in achieving superovulation for IVF purposes in a prospective, randomized study. Methods: Twenty infertile patients (normo-ovulatory healthy women) were recruited for the study and allocated at random to the Gonal-F or Metrodin groups. The treatment protocol consisted of pituitary down regulation by GnRH analog (Buserelin; Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany) employing the "long" protocol initiated at the midluteal phase (900 μg/day, intranasal administration). Gonal-F (SC) or Metrodin (IM) was injected daily (225 IU/day) starting on cycle day 3. Dose adjustment was performed, when necessary, from cycle day 7. Results: Of the 20 cycles analyzed, none was canceled due to poor response. No cases of adverse effects (including local intolerance) or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome were recorded in either group. They did not differ significantly in the following treatment-dependent variables: hormone profile, duration of FSH treatment, total FSH dose required to achieve follicular maturation, and the number of oocytes retrieved, fertilized, and replaced. Conclusions: These preliminary data concur with previous studies in demonstrating that Gonal-F is as effective and safe as Metrodin (when given in combination with a "long" protocol of GnRH analog) in inducing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF purposes. Its mode of administration (SC instead of IM) offers an additional advantage over the urinary human FSH.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)26-31
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1995

Keywords

  • IVF
  • controlled ovarian hyperstimulation
  • recombinant human FSH
  • urinary human FSH

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