A comparative study of fixed-dose, step-down, and low-dose step-up regimens of human menopausal gonadotropin for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of the fixed-dose, the step-down, and the low-dose step-up regimens of hMG for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Prospective randomized study.


METHODS
Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.


METHODS
Thirty-seven women with PCOS.


METHODS
The fixed-dose, the step-down. and the low-dose step-up regimens were administered.


METHODS
The number of growing follicles and serum hormone levels.


RESULTS
Serum FSH levels on the day of hCG administration were significantly higher in the fixed-dose regimen group than in the step-down and the low-dose step-up regimen groups, and the number of growing follicles (> or =11 mm) in the low-dose step-up regimen group was significantly smaller than in the fixed-dose regimen group. On the 7th day after hCG administration, the maximal diameter of the ovaries in the low-dose step-up regimen group was significantly smaller than in the fixed-dose and the step-down regimen groups, and the risk of excessive ovarian enlargement (> or =70 mm) was significantly lower in the low-dose step-up regimen group than in the fixed-dose regimen group.


CONCLUSIONS
The low-dose step-up regimen of hMG for patients with PCOS may be the safest protocol among the three stimulation regimens for reducing multiple follicular development.
Andoh
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
Mizunuma
H
H
Liu
X
X
Kamijo
T
T
Yamada
K
K
Ibuki
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008596:Menotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011258:Pregnancy Tests; D014463:Ultrasonography
D006728:Hormones; D008596:Menotropins