A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED COMPARISON OF 2 GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE AGONISTS, NAFARELIN ACETATE AND BUSERELIN ACETATE, IN IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION-EMBRYO TRANSFER

We tested the efficacy of a new gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonis t (GnRHa), nafarelin acetate, in in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and com pared the results with those of another widely used GnRHa, buserelin a cetate; both were in the form of nasal spray. Therapy was used in a lo ng protocol in the luteal phase in two groups of women with similar ae tiology of infertility. There was no significant difference in patient response, measured by cycle cancellation, number of oocytes retrieved , fertilization rate and cleavage rate. Pregnancy rates were similar i n nafarelin acetate and buserelin acetate treated women, namely 22% an d 24% pregnancies per cycle, and 28.8% and 32.1% pregnancies per trans fer, respectively. Side-effects were few and comparable in both groups . The only difference noted was that women receiving nafarelin acetate required significantly fewer ampoules of human menopausal gonadotroph in, making a significant difference in the expense involved. We conclu de that on the basis of our experience, nafarelin acetate is an effici ent and safe gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, effective in IVF therapy.