Recombinant vs. urinary follicle-stimulating hormone in couples undergoing intrauterine insemination. A randomized study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of ovulation induction in couples undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) with a standard daily dose of 100 IU of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) vs. 150 IU of urinary follicle-stimulating hormone (uFSH). STUDY DESIGN: Prospectively, 118 cycles were randomized to rFSH and 106 cycles to uFSH. Ovarian response was compared on the human chorionic gonadotropin administration day by serum estradiol (E2) levels and number of ovarian follicles produced. RESULTS: In the rFSH group a significantly lower dose of FSH was administered (799.1 vs. 1,293.0 IU, P < .001), and a lower number of follicles > or = 12 mm (2.9 vs. 3.7, P < .001) and lower number of midsized follicles (12-16 mm) were observed (0.7 vs. 1.7, P < .001) as compared to the uFSH group. No difference was found between groups in the number of follicles > or = 17 mm or in serum E2 levels obtained. The E2/FSH dose ratio was significantly higher in the rFSH group (0.9 vs. 0.6, P < .001), and the ratio of E2/follicles > or = 17 mm was significantly lower in the rFSH group (308.9 vs. 406.5, P < .001). CONCLUSION: A standard daily dose of 100 IU of rFSH is more effective than uFSH in women undergoing IUI treatment since a more symmetric response is obtained.