Comparison of the Efficacy and Cost-effectiveness of Highly Purified Urinary Follicle Stimulating Hormone (HP-uFSH) and Recombinant Follicle Stimulating Hormone (rFSH) in Poor Responders

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to compare the clinical results and effectiveness of two gonadothropin treatment protocols; HP-uFSH and rFSH in poor responders. Materials and Methods: While HP-uFSH was given to 58 patients, rFSH was given to 62 patients. The patientselection criteria were the same (FSH value > 15 iu/l or antral follicle number < 4, on the second day of menstruation). Results: Endometrial thickness on hCG day (mm) was 9.0 ± 2.7 and 7.8 ± 2.7 in HP-uFSH group and rFSH group, respectively and this difference was statistically significant. Contrarily, fertilization rate (%) was better in rFSH than HP-uFSH (76.6 ± 15.9 vs. 68.2 ± 17.8) and this value was also statistically significant. Percentage of cancelled cycles (%) was 14 ± 34 in HP-uFSH group and this parameter was significantly lower than rFSH group (29 ± 45). Conclusion: rFSH is as efficacious as HP-uFSH in poor responders. Fertilization rate was better in rFSH than HP-uFSH. Since rFSH is more expensive, the final treatment cost with rFSH to obtain a pregnancy was slightly higher, but this difference was not statistically significant (20060 TL vs. 17150 TL).

Keywords

• follicle stimulating hormone
• luteinizing hormone
• ovulation induction
• in vitro fertilization
• embryo transfer