Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026
Exploring Independent Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone In Vivo in a Mouse Model
Published on: August 11, 2023
Comparison of controlled ovarian stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropin or recombinant follicle-stimulating
Marco Filicori1, Graciela E Cognigni, Patrizia Pocognoli
1Reproductive Endocrinology Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. marco.filicori@unibo.it
Objective:
To carefully examine the features of controlled ovarian stimulation performed with recombinant FSH-alpha or hMG.
Design:
Controlled, prospective, randomized comparison of fixed gonadotropin regimens.
Setting:
Academic research institution.
Patient(S):
Fifty infertile patients who were candidates for IUI.
Intervention(S):
Patients were randomized to receive a fixed regimen of recombinant FSH-alpha (150 IU/day, 25 patients) or hMG (150 IU/day, 25 patients), after GnRH-agonist suppression (long regimen).
Main Outcome Measures:
Daily measurements of serum LH, immunoreactive FSH, hCG, E(2), P, and T. Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound every 2 days. Pregnancy and abortion rates. Cost of medications. Two recombinant FSH-alpha-treated patients did not respond. Despite matched daily FSH dose, duration of treatment (hMG 10.8 +/- 0.4 vs. recombinant FSH-alpha 12.4 +/- 0.5 days), gonadotropin dose (21.7 +/- 0.8 vs. 25.3 +/- 1.3 ampoules), gonadotropin cost (288 +/- 10 vs. 1,299 +/- 66 /cycle), serum P levels, and small preovulatory follicle number were significantly lower, and LH, hCG, immunoreactive FSH levels, and larger follicles on day 8 were significantly higher in hMG-treated patients. The pregnancy, abortion, and twin pregnancy rates did not differ.
Conclusion:
The hMG administration was associated with: [1]. increased serum LH activity and immunoreactive FSH levels during treatment; [2]. reduced signs of premature luteinization; [3]. differential modulation of folliculogenesis; [4]. lower treatment duration, gonadotropin dose, and cost; and [5]. clinical outcome comparable to recombinant FSH-alpha.
