Greater efficacy was seen in the HMG group for:
the mean days required for ovarian stimulation, 9 versus 9.5 days, (p=0.004);
the need to increase the dosage, 28.3 versus 38.6%, (p=0.041);
cycle discontinuation, 18 versus 19, (p non significant);
the number of follicles punctured, median 13 versus 11, (p=0.008); and
the number of oocytes retrieved, median 10 versus 9, (p=0.044), and their quality.
There was a significant difference in the total drug dosage between FSHr (median 2,400 IU) and HMG (median 3,000 IU), (p<0.001).
The hormonal response to stimulation was significantly lower in the FSHr group, as assessed by oestradiol concentrations on day 5, (p=0.0002), day 8, (p<0.0001), and the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration, (p<0.0001).
The ratio of oestradiol per follicle (351.7 versus 402.3 pmol/L; p=0.0026) and per oocyte (410.8 versus 546 pmol/L; p=0.0007) were also significantly lower in the FSHr group.
No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of fertilisation rate, 51.7% for FSHr versus 53.4% for HMG.
The clinical pregnancy rates were also not significantly different between the two groups, 14% per cycle with FSHr versus 20% per cycle with HMG.