[Clinical application of prefilled pen and conventional syringe during controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy, convenience and costs of recombinant follitropin alpha administered by a prefilled pen device and conventional syringe in Chinese women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF).


METHODS
A total of 184 patients undergoing IVF treatment were enrolled in this study. According to a long-term recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) protocol, ovarian stimulation was performed with the prefilled pen and conventional syringe at random in these subjects, and the dose of follitropin, number of oocytes and embryo parameters and IVF-ET outcome were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
The total rFSH dose, cost, and frequency of hospital visits were significantly lower in the pen protocol group, but the residual rFSH amount was higher. Compared with conventional injections, the prefilled pen was associated with significantly lowered rate of local redness, high rate of local bruise, more frequent follitropin dose modulation and lower serum oestradiol levels on HCG day. No significant difference was found in the endometrial thickness, numbers of oocytes retrieved, MII oocytes, transferred embryo, or the clinical pregnancy rates between the two groups. The ratio of MII oocytes, good quality embryo rates and implantation rates was significantly higher in the pen group with lower incidences of moderate and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
The prefilled pen provides an easy, safe, effective and more patient-friendly means for controlled ovarian stimulation procedure in Chinese women, but more attention should be given to protocol optimization and patient education.
Chen
Lei-ning
LN
Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. drchenln@gmail.com
Quan
Song
S
Li
Hong
H
Yang
Xiao-ping
XP
Chen
Si-mei
SM
Zhang
Xiao-yu
XY
Lin
Lei
L
Xing
Fu-qi
FQ
Chen
Shi-ling
SL
Wan
Zhao-jun
ZJ
Wang
Yi
Y
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone