title: Randomized controlled trial comparing highly purified (HP-hCG) and recombinant hCG (r-hCG) for triggering ovulation in ART.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing highly purified human Choriogonadotrophin (HP-hCG) and recombinant hCG (r-hCG) both administered subcutaneously for triggering ovulation in controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
  
  
  METHODS
  Multi-centre (n = 4), prospective, controlled, randomized, non-inferiority, parallel group, investigator blind design, including 147 patients. The trial was registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov, using the identifier: NCT00335569. The primary endpoint is the number of oocytes retrieved, while the secondary endpoints include embryo implantation, pregnancy and delivery rates as well as safety parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of retrieved oocytes was not inferior when HP-hCG was used as compared to r-hCG: the mean number was 13.3 (6.8) in HP-hCG and 12.5 (5.8) in the r-hCG group (p = 0.49) with a 95% CI (-1.34, 2.77). Regarding the secondary outcomes, there were also no differences in fertilization rate at 57.3% (467/815) vs. 61.3% (482/787) (p = 0.11), the number of embryos available for transfer and cryopreservation (2PN stage) and implantation, pregnancy and delivery rates. Furthermore, there were no differences in the number and type of adverse events reported. HP-hCG was therefore not inferior to r-hCG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HP-hCG and r-hCG are equally efficient and safe for triggering ovulation in ART and, both being administered subcutaneously, equally practical and well tolerated by patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellavia
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Geyter
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Streuli
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ibecheole
authors.forename: Martin H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Birkhäuser
authors.forename: Barbara P S
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Cometti
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Ziegler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001723:Birth Rate; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D011994:Recombinant Proteins