Human menopausal gonadotropin versus highly purified-hMG in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in-vitro fertilisation: Does purity improve outcome?

Objectives. To examine and compare the effect of the two commercially available menotropins (highly purified-human menopausal gonadotropin (HP-hMG) and the traditional human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG)) on ovarian stimulation characteristics and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle outcome. Study Design.We studied 36 patients undergoing at least two controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles for IVF, with the same GnRH-analogue protocols, where one included HP-hMG and the other included hMG. Ovarian stimulation characteristics and outcome were compared between the two groups. Results.Patients in the HP-hMG group achieved significantly higher implantation (20.0 vs. 8.1, p<0.03; respectively) and pregnancy rates (47.2 vs. 19.4, p<0.009; respectively) compared to the hMG group. Although no in-between group difference was observed in the number of top-quality embryos per patient, the proportion of the total number of top-quality embryos per total number of generated embryos was significantly higher in the HP-hMG group (88/196 vs. 72/204, p<0.049; respectively) as compared to the hMG group. Conclusions.Patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF that includes HP-hMG preparations produce significantly higher implantation and pregnancy rates, as compared to the traditional hMG.