Clinical Efficacy of Highly Purified hMG versus Recombinant FSH in IVF/ICSI Cycles: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background/Aims: To compare the effectiveness of highly purified hMG (Menopur) with recombinant FSH (Gonal-F) in IVF/ICSI patients who underwent ovarian hyperstimulation with pituitary suppression. Methods: A literature search of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (PubMed), Medline and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register was performed using the key words `highly purified hMG` and `recombinant FSH.` Only prospective randomized controlled trials were included when they compared IVF/ICSI outcomes after administration of Menopur versus Gonal-F. Five studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was ongoing pregnancy/live birth. Results: Ongoing pregnancy rate per started cycle (RR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.96-1.26) or per embryo transfer (RR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.99-1.29), as well as live birth rate per embryo transfer (RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.98-1.33), is similar between the Menopur and the Gonal-F group. Conclusion: The combined data presented in this meta-analysis do not support a clinical superiority of Gonal-F over Menopur. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel