Updated meta-analysis of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) versus urinary FSH for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative efficacy of recombinant FSH (rFSH) and urinary FSH (uFSH) for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproductive techniques (ART). DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials comparing rFSH and uFSH. SETTING: Infertility centers providing treatment with ART. PATIENT(S): Patients undergoing IVF with or without ICSI. INTERVENTION(S): Controlled ovarian stimulation using uFSH or rFSH (follitropin alpha or follitropin beta). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary: rate of clinical pregnancy per cycle. Secondary: rates of spontaneous abortion, multiple pregnancy, and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS); total gonadotropin dose; serum E(2) level and number of follicles at hCG administration; number of oocytes retrieved. RESULT(S): Eighteen trials were included in the meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses demonstrated higher pregnancy rates with both follitropins compared with uFSH. However, statistical significance was reached only in the follitropin alpha versus uFSH comparison in IVF cycles, with an additional pregnancy for every 19 patients treated. Fewer units of rFSH than uFSH achieved the same E(2) level and oocyte yield. No differences were found between treatments in rates of spontaneous abortion, OHSS, and multiple gestation. CONCLUSION(S): rFSH produced higher pregnancy rates per cycle than uFSH when follitropin alpha was used in IVF, and the total gonadotropin dose required was lower.