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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research

Clomiphene citrate versus high doses of gonadotropins for in vitrofertilisation in women with compromised ovarian reserve: a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial

Authors: Guido Ragni, Paolo E Levi-Setti, Rubens Fadini, Claudio Brigante, Claudia Scarduelli, Federica Alagna, Veronica Arfuso, Mario Mignini-Renzini, Massimo Candiani, Alessio Paffoni, Edgardo Somigliana

Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

The aim of the present randomised controlled non-inferiority trial is to test whether in women with compromised ovarian reserve requiring in vitro fertilisation, a protocol of ovarian stimulation using exclusively clomiphene citrate performs similarly to a regimen with high doses of gonadotropins.

Methods

Women with day 3 serum FSH > 12 IU/ml on at least two occasions or previous poor response to hyper-stimulation were recruited at four Italian infertility units. Selected women were allocated to clomiphene citrate 150 mg/day from day 3 to day 7 of the cycle (n=145) or to a short protocol with GnRH agonist 0.1 mg and recombinant FSH 450 IU daily (n=146). They were randomised by means of a computer-generated list into two groups. The study was not blinded. The main outcome of the study was the delivery rate per started cycle.

Results

The study was interrupted after the scheduled two years of recruitment before reaching the sample size. 148 women were allocated to clomiphene citrate and 156 to the short protocol with high doses of gonadotropins; 124 and 125 participants were analysed in the groups, respectively. Women allocated to high doses of gonadotropins retrieved more oocytes and had a higher probability to perform embryo-transfer. However, the chances of success were similar. The delivery rate per started cycle in women receiving clomiphene citrate and high-dose gonadotropins was 3% (n=5) and 5% (n=7), respectively (p=0.77). The mean estimated cost per delivery in the two groups was 81,294 and 113,107 Euros, respectively. No side-effects or adverse events were observed.

Conclusions

In women with compromised ovarian reserve selected for in vitro fertilisation, ovarian stimulation with clomiphene citrate or high-dose gonadotropins led to similar chances of pregnancy but the former is less expensive.

Trial registration

Trial registered on http://​www.​clinicaltrials.​gov (NCT01389713)
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Clomiphene citrate versus high doses of gonadotropins for in vitrofertilisation in women with compromised ovarian reserve: a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial
Authors
Guido Ragni
Paolo E Levi-Setti
Rubens Fadini
Claudio Brigante
Claudia Scarduelli
Federica Alagna
Veronica Arfuso
Mario Mignini-Renzini
Massimo Candiani
Alessio Paffoni
Edgardo Somigliana
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7827
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-10-114

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