Chronic Low-dose Step-up Protocol in Treating Women with Unexplained Infertility: (37.5 Units Versus 75 Units of Follitropin Alpha as the Initial Dose)

Abstract

Aims: To compare the treatment outcome of the 37.5 Units/day follitropin-alpha (Study Group) with 75 Units/day (Control Group) as the initial dose for chronic low-dose step-up ovulation induction for unexplained infertile, non-PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) women. Methodology: Retrospective study and comparison of the patient characteristics and treatment outcome of 2 patient groups of 100 patient-cycles (Study and Control groups: Low-dose step-up cycles with initial doses of 37.5 Units/day and 75 Units/day, respectively). 95 (Study group) and 98(Control group) ovulatory cycles were included in the final analysis. Results: Cycle cancellations were less common in the Study Group (6.3% vs 15.3%; P=0.02); those in the control group being mostly due to excessive response. The conception rates were similar: 11.5% and 11.2% in the study and the control groups, respectively. Total and mean daily gonadotropin used were lower in the study group (P=0.02 and P=0.04). 1 mild OHSS (Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) was observed in each group. There were no multiple pregnancies in either group. Conclusion: The initial daily dose of 37.5 Unit/day is more effective in achieving a unifollicular cycle while being as safe and effective as 75 Units/day; requiring a lower amount of gonadotropin for the conventional treatment of unexplained infertility in non-PCOS women.