Lyophilised hMG versus rFSH in women with unexplained infertility undergoing a controlled ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination: a prospective, randomised study.

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy of lyophilised urinary hMG (HP-hMG) with recombinant FSH (rFSH) in women with unexplained infertility undergoing a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination (IUI).

METHODS

Forty-nine consecutively seen women with unexplained infertility were randomised to a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with IUI cycle either with rFSH or HP-hMG. The outcome was compared by independent samples t-test.

RESULTS

The mean patient age and duration of infertility were not different (29.5 +/- 5.7 and 4.9 +/- 2.7 years in rFSH; 28.8 +/- 3.2 and 6 +/- 4.2 in HP-hMG group) (p = 0.6 and p = 0.2). The mean body mass index (BMI) and basal hormones were similar. Total dose of gonadotropin used (710 +/- 236 vs. 636 +/- 185 IU) and duration of the cycles (9 +/- 2.1 vs. 8.3 +/- 2.3 days) showed no significant difference (p = 0.2). Number of follicles, serum oestradiol (E2), and the endometrial thickness on the day of hCG were comparable. Two singletons in each group were obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that HP-hMG and rFSH may be equally suitable in mild ovarian stimulation for unexplained infertility. Further data derived from larger study population are needed to determine whether higher amounts of two gonadotropins in this subgroup might produce any benefits or unfavourable effects.