The clinical efficacy and efficiency of a 100-IU starting dose of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (Puregon[sup ®] ) in Korean women undergoingin vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Aim: A prospective, non-comparative study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of a starting dose of 100 IU recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rhFSH, Puregon®) in women undergoing ovarian stimulation prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: A total of 40 women were down-regulated with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (long protocol), then treated with a fixed dose of 100 IU rhFSH for the first 4 days, and the dose of gonadotropin administration was adjusted according to patient's response thereafter. A maximum number of 3 embryos were transferred in 32 patients. Results: Nine patients were treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and 24 with conventional IVE The duration of stimulation was 10.8 ± 1.8 days, serum estradiol concentration on human chorionic gonadotropin day was 1693.0 ± 1651.2 pg/mL, and 1480 ± 450 IU rhFSH was used. A mean number of 8.4 ± 5.7 oocytes were retrieved, 4.9 ± 4.3 embryos obtained, 2.4 ± 0.9 embryos transferred, and 3.5 ± 3.2 embryos cryopreserved. The proportion of mature oocytes was 71.6%, and the fertilization rate was 86.4%. Clinical pregnancy was achieved in 8 patients (25.0%), and all of these pregnancies are ongoing or delivered. There were 3 cases of twin gestations (37.5%). The implantation rate was 13.1% (11/84). There was one case of moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, however, the patient recovered within 7 days without any complications. Conclusion: The starting dose of 100 IU rhFSH has a good safety profile, and is adequate in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF with a small amount of gonadotropin administered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]