OUTCOME COMPARISON OF IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION TREATMENT WITH HIGHLY PURIFIED SUBCUTANEOUS FOLLICLE-STIMULATING-HORMONE (FERTINEX, A UROFOLLITROPIN) VERSUS INTRAMUSCULAR MENOTROPINS

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate various outcome me asures of stimulation with highly purified subcutaneous follicle-stimu lating hormone (Fertinex, a urofollitropin) compared with first- and s econd-generation urinary human menopausal gonadotropin standards (Perg onal, Metrodin). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis was restricted t o our most efficient in vitro fertilization age group (23-34 years). D ata from Institute for Assisted Reproduction in vitro fertilization cy cles 1 through 11 with Pergonal, Metrodin, or both were tabulated for hormonal values, oocyte quality, and embryo outcome as baseline data. Patients in cycles 12 through 13 were treated with Fertinex and Pergon al or Fertinex alone and then reviewed for the same parameters. RESULT S: Two hundred thirty-eight in vitro fertilization records with embryo transfer were analyzed. Clinical pregnancy rates per embryo transfer in an optimal age group were similar despite use of first- through thi rd-generation urinary gonadotropin preparations: Pergonal and Metrodin , 67%; Metrodin, 64%; Fertinex and Pergonal, 62%; and Fertinex, 54%. T here were no discernible differences in hormonal response, oocyte reco very, or embryonic growth. CONCLUSION: Administered subcutaneously, th e third-generation urinary gonadotropin preparation Fertinex is effect ive in in vitro fertilization treatment in young women.