A comparison of 3-day and daily follicle-stimulating hormone injections on stimulation days 1-6 in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of ovarian hyperstimulation by intermittent doses of 450 IU of recombinant human (h)FSH compared with daily 150-IU doses of recombinant hFSH.


METHODS
A pilot, open, randomized, parallel-group study.


METHODS
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany.


METHODS
Infertile women with indication for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection after at least 1 year of unprotected intercourse.


METHODS
Recombinant hFSH was administered daily or intermittently (3-day intervals) from days 1 to 6 of stimulation and thereafter by daily injection.


METHODS
Number of preovulatory follicles, retrieved oocytes, two-pronuclei (2PN) zygotes, implantation, and pregnancy rates.


RESULTS
The number of oocytes in the daily-dose group was significantly greater. There were no significant differences in mean values for number of follicles > or =11 mm (except for day 7) and > or =14 mm, 2PN zygotes, and number of transferred embryos. Implantation and pregnancy rates per cycle were in favor of the intermittent 450-IU dose regimen; implantation rates were 17.0% and 9.8% in the 3-day-dose and daily-dose groups, respectively, and biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates were 33.3% and 15.7% and 25.5% and 13.7%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Intermittent administration of recombinant hFSH significantly reduces the total number of recombinant hFSH injections, compared with a conventional FSH regimen, without detrimental effects on implantation rate or pregnancy rate.
Scholtes
Michael C W
MC
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany. scholtes@ivf-duesseldorf.de
Schnittert
Bettina
B
van Hoogstraten
Dagmar
D
Verhoeven
Hugo C
HC
Zrener
Andrea
A
Warne
David W
DW
D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006728:Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D006728:Hormones; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone