LONG GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE AGONIST HUMAN MENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPIN PROTOCOL FOR OVARIAN STIMULATION IN INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION TREATMENT

Objective: This prospective study was undertaken to examine the useful ness of a long gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a)/human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) protocol in intrauterine insemination ( IUI) treatment. The results were compared to those of clomiphene citra te (CC)/hMG/IUI. Study Design: Seventy-five patients were recruited to a GnRH-a/hMG group (group 1) while 88 patients underwent CC/hMG stimu lation and served as controls (group 2). The study subjects were stimu lated with a long GnRH-a/hMG regimen. IUI was performed 36 h after the administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin. Results: The number of preovulatory follicles, the thickness of endometrium and sperm para meters were similar in both groups. The hMG requirements were signific antly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (21.2 +/- 5.1 vs. 8.1 +/- 3.1 ampoules). The pregnancy rate was 20% in group 1 and 12.5% in group 2, the difference being not significant. Conclusion: The pregnancy rates were not significantly different between the GnRH-a/hMG/IUI and CC/hM G/IUI groups. In addition, GnRH-a/hMG stimulation is notably more expe nsive than CC/hMG, and for these reasons, GnRH-a/hMG stimulation is no t cost-effective in routine IUI therapy. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ire land Ltd.