A retrospective review comparing the use of Gonal-F and Metrodin-HP for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF)

All cycles of IVF with pituitary down-regulation (n = 57) done at the Damansara Fertility Centre in the year 2000 were studied. All the 57 patients had controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, either using Metrodin HP (n = 27) or Gonal-F (n = 30). Of these, 53 patients reached oocyte pick-up, 26 patients in Metrodin HP group and 27 patients in Gonal-F group. Gonal-F resulted in a higher clinical pregnancy rate of 66.6% compared to Metrodin HP 38.5% (p 0.05).

Recombinant Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone (rFSH) versus Highly Purified Urinary FSH (uFSH): Oocyte and Embryo Quality / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the efficacy of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) versus highly purified urinary human FSH (uFSH) in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: From 1 January 2001 to 31 August 2001, A total of 254 cycles from 241 patients who attended infertility clinic at Samsung cheil hospital was enrolled in this study. With pituitary down regulation using GnRH agonist by short protocol, rFSH (Puregon(R), Organon, Netherlands) was administered in 131 cycles and uFSH (Metrodin-HP(R), Serono, Switzerland) was administered in 123 cycles. We analyzed ovarian response, pregnancy rate, live birth rate, oocyte quality and embryo quality. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of two groups were not different. Total FSH dosages (1322.3+/-526.2 IU versus 2124.4+/-881.9 IU, p<0.001) and dosages per retrieved oocyte (90.6+/-36.0 IU versus 138.0+/-57.2 IU, p<0.001) were significantly lower in rFSH group than uFSH group. Clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate of two groups were not significantly different. The rate of good quality oocyte (Grade I and II) from retrieved oocytes was higher in rFSH group (68.2% versus 64.8%, p=0.024), but after preincubating oocytes for 4 to 6 hours and removing cumulus cells in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles, nuclear maturity of oocytes were not significantly different. The quality of transferred embryos were not significantly different too. CONCLUSION: rFSH offered more effective ovarian response in COH and better quality of retrieved oocytes, compared with uFSH.

The Efficacy of Recombinant Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone (rhFSH) in Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation for In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (rhFSH) versus highly purified urinary human FSH (uhFSH-HP) in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Ninety-three women with tubal infertility, stage I/II endometriosis or unexplained infertility were admitted to this study. After pituitary desensitization using GnRH agonist, rhFSH (n=45) or uhFSH-HP (n=48) was administered with a step-down regimen in all patients. RESULTS: Patient's characteristics were comparable in both groups. Low responders were 20 in rhFSH group and 22 in uhFSH-HP group. The total dose of administered FSH was significantly lower in rhFSH group than that in uhFSH-HP grup (p<0.001). The days of stimulation were also significantly shorter in rhFSH group than those in uhFSH-HP group (p<0.05). However, there were no differences in IVF results such as the numbers of oocytes retrieved, oocytes fertilized, grade I/II embryos, embryos transferred between the two groups. There were also no differences in clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and multiple pregnancy rate. Even in the low responder subgroup, COH using rhFSH was also associated with significant decreases in the total dose of FSH and the duration of stimulation required. IVF results and pregnancy outcomes were comparable in rhFSH and uhFSH-HP groups. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the total dose of FSH and the duration of stimulation can be reduced by using rhFSH.

Influence of Ovulation Induction Medicine on the Nuclear Maturation of Mouse Immature Oocytes and Development of Mouse 2-cell Embryo in Various Culture Media> / 대한불임학회지

Purpose of the present study was to find the optimal ovulation induction medicine for the maturation and development of immature oocytes and culture media for 2-cell embryos in the mouse model. ICR female mouse aged 6 to 8 weeks, were stimulated with 5 IU PMSG injection. At 47 to 50 hour post-PMSG injection, ovaries were dissected out and oocytes-cumulus complexes were punctured. The oocyte-cumulus complexes were cultured in media containing various ovulation induction medicine, CC, HMG and Metrodin for 18 hours. Female ICR mice were stimulated with 5 IU PMSG and 48 hours later were injected 5 IU of hCG, then female and male mice were mated. At 48 hour post-hCG injection, oviducts were dissected out and 2-cell embryos were flushed. The 2-cell embryos were cultured in various media, Ham's F-10 media of milli-Q water (3degrees), Ham's F-10 media of HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography, Baxter) water, Medicult media, HTF (human tubal fluid) media for 96hours. The results were as follows. 1. When the oocytes-cumulus complexes were cultured in 10(-9)microgram/ml~ 10(-8)microgram/ml of CC, those were suppressed in meiotic maturation (28.2~ 33.7%). Whereas the oocytes-cumulus complexes were cultured in 10(-7)microgram/ml~10(-4)microgram/ml, these were not effected in meiotic maturation (54.5~72.7%). 2. When the oocytes-cumulus complexes were cultured in 10(-4)microgram/ml~ 10(-1)microgram/ml of Metrodin, those were suppressed in meiotic maturation (35.7~ 41.5%). Meanwhile the oocytes-cumulus complexes were cultured in 10(-7)microgram/ml~10(-5)microgram/ml, those were not effected in meiotic maturation (54.2~ 70.3%). 3. When the oocytes-cumulus complexes were cultured in 10(-5)microgram/ml~ 10(-4)microgram/ml of HMG, those were suppressed in meiotic maturation (48.2~ 50.4%). As being cultured in 10(-7)microgram/ml~10(-6)microgram/ml, increased in meiotic maturation (75.8~80.7%). 4. When the 2-cell embryos were cultured in Ham's F-10 media of milli-Q wats. ( 3degrees), Ham's F-10 media of HPLC (high performance liquid chromatograpy, Banter) water, Medicult media, HTF (human tubal fluid) media, developmental rates to blastocyst and hatching for 96 hour were 50.0%, 45.2%, 71.5% and 95.6%, respectively.