title: Long-acting recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone in random-start ovarian stimulation protocols for fertility preservation in women with cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and potential benefits of the use of long-acting recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a random-start protocol for fertility preservation in women with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective before-and-after study performed between February 2013 and December 2015 in women who underwent ovarian hyperstimulation for oocyte cryobanking using a random-start approach. In the first part of the study period, the women were treated with daily recombinant FSH whereas in the second part the stimulation was initiated with long-acting recombinant FSH. The primary aim of the study was to compare the number of oocytes stored in the two study periods. In all, 140 women were ultimately selected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with daily recombinant FSH, the use of the long-acting compound was associated with a reduced number of injections (12.5 ± 3.5 vs. 16.4 ± 0.3; p < 0.001) and a longer duration of stimulation (11.4 ± 1.9 vs. 10.6 ± 1.9, p = 0.01). Conversely, the number of oocytes collected (13.7 ± 9.5 vs. 11.3 ± 7.0, p = 0.10) as well as those cryopreserved (11.0 ± 8.0 vs. 9.5 ± 5.8, p = 0.21) did not differ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of long-acting recombinant FSH in random-start protocols for fertility preservation appears to be a valuable option.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2641-1820
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sarais
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fondazione Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinic, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3112-3161
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paffoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pagliardini
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fondazione Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinic, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8405-3545
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Filippi
authors.affiliation: Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mangili
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Candiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papaleo
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: Cancer; fertility preservation; long-acting recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone; oocytes; random-start protocol