Lyophilised hMG versus rFSH in women with unexplained infertility undergoing a controlled ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination: a prospective, randomised study

Abstract

Purpose. To compare the efficacy of lyophilised urinary hMG (HP-hMG) with recombinant FSH (rFSH) in women with unexplained infertilıty undergoing a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Methods. Forty-nine consecutively seen women with unexplained infertility were randomised to a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with IUI cycle either with rFSH or HP-hMG. The outcome was compared by independent samples t-test.

Results. The mean patient age and duration of infertility were not different (29.5 ± 5.7 and 4.9 ± 2.7 years in rFSH; 28.8 ± 3.2 and 6 ± 4.2 in HP-hMG group) (p = 0.6 and p = 0.2). The mean body mass index (BMI) and basal hormones were similar. Total dose of gonadotropin used (710 ± 236 vs. 636 ± 185 IU) and duration of the cycles (9 ± 2.1 vs. 8.3 ± 2.3 days) showed no significant difference (p = 0.2). Number of follicles, serum oestradiol (E2), and the endometrial thickness on the day of hCG were comparable. Two singletons in each group were obtained.

Conclusions. These data suggest that HP-hMG and rFSH may be equally suitable in mild ovarian stimulation for unexplained infertilıty. Further data derived from larger study population are needed to determine whether higher amounts of two gonadotropins in this subgroup might produce any benefits or unfavourable effects.

Keywords:

• Recombinant gonadotropins
• urinary gonadotropins
• controlled ovarian hyperstimulation
• intrauterine insemination
• unexplained infertility

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.