The use of pure follicle-stimulating hormone for ovulation induction in normal ovulatory women in an in vitro fertilization program.

Many ovulation induction protocols for follicular development have been reported. The present study examines pure follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) and human menopausal gonadotropin for ovulation induction in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program. The study compares the number of ampules, the level of estradiol on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration and at laparoscopy, the number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization, cleavage, and pregnancy rates. The peak levels of estradiol on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration and the day of laparoscopy were similar, although fewer ampules of pFSH were required to reach similar criteria for oocyte maturation prior to retrieval. The fertilization rates were similar, but the cleavage and pregnancy rates favored the use of pFSH. The use of pFSH may be more physiologic in orchestrating follicular steroidogenesis in normal ovulatory women in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transplant program that subsequently could produce healthier oocytes and an improvement in the pregnancy rate.