New Article Reveals Trend Toward Greater Use of Human Menopausal Gonadotropin in In Vitro Fertilization

PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. infertility specialty has empirically incorporated greater amounts of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) into stimulation protocols, according to a new review article, "Gonadotropins in the Treatment of Infertility" by George T. Koulianos, MD, published in a recent issue of US Obstetrics & Gynecology, supported by an educational grant from Ferring Pharmaceuticals.(1)  The article reviews the wealth of clinical evidence supporting this trend, and demonstrates how the use of gonadotropins in the treatment of infertility, especially in assisted reproductive technologies, has significantly improved outcomes.

"Gonadotropins...have been especially important in improving the efficiency of in vitro fertilization," said Dr. Koulianos.  "The many large, complex studies conducted over the past decade demonstrate the unique attributes of hMG, especially highly purified hMG, that lead to better outcomes.  The study results parallel the steady increase in the use of hMG, indicating that the field has empirically chosen hMG as its base of stimulation."

Here are highlights from the article:

• For the approval of MENOPUR® (menotropins for injection, USP) (HP-hMG), based on results of the largest IVF trial ever conducted (EISG)(2), trends favored hMG over recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) in pregnancy rates, although there was no statistical significance.  A post-hoc analysis of the study by Platteau et al.(3) suggested that hMG outperformed rFSH in IVF, and when intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was used, the two treatments appeared to be equivalent.  In this post-hoc analysis, lower pregnancy rates were seen in patients with lower serum hCG levels.

• The Menotrophin versus Recombinant FSH in vitro Fertilization Trial (MERiT), the most extensive IVF study ever performed to date, with 731 patients, demonstrated significant differences in endocrine profile, a more natural stimulation with hMG, and greater capacity for pregnancy and live births from hMG-stimulated oocytes.

Odds Ratios Showing the Effect of hMG and rFSH on Live Birth Rate*

    
    
      Study or        hMG       rFSH      Favors     Weight       Peto OR
    Subcategory       n/N        n/N       hMG          %          95% CI
    -----------       ---        ---       ---         ---         ------
    Rashidi, 2005    4/30       3/30       yes        1.21   1.37 (0.29, 6.56)
    Ng, 2001         4/20       4/20       yes        1.26   1.00 (0.22, 4.62)
    Belash, 2003     6/30       8/30                  2.09   0.69 (0.21, 2.27)
    Gordon, 2001     9/29       9/39       yes        2.52   1.50 (0.51, 4.41)
    Jansen, 1998     6/35      12/54                  2.66   0.73 (0.26, 2.10)
    Kilani, 2003    12/50      11/50       yes        3.43   1.12 (0.44, 2.03)
    Westergaard,                                                  
     2001          67/189     53/190       yes       15.76   1.42 (0.92, 2.18)
    Hompes, 2007   79/312     75/317       yes       22.33   1.09 (0.76, 1.57)
    Euro-Israel,
     2002          80/395     67/386       yes       22.90   1.21 (0.84, 1.73)
    Anderson,                                                     
     2006          96/363     82/368       yes       25.85   1.25 (0.89, 1.76)
    
    Total (95% CI)  1,453      1,484                   100   1.20 (1.01, 1.42)
    
    Total events: 363 (hMG), 324 (rFSH)
    Test for heterogeneity: X(2)= 2.81, df = 9 (p=0.97); p=0%
    Test for overall effect: Z = 2.04 (p=0.04)

OR=odds ratio; CI=confidence interval; df=degrees of freedom; Z=vector of other variables

*Chart adapted from Figure 7 in the review article

• The Weghofer I study showed a greater number of cytogenetically normal embryos when hMG was used compared with the rFSH group (59.8+26.7 versus 45.3+26.5).

About MENOPUR®  

MENOPUR® administered subcutaneously is indicated for the development of multiple follicles and pregnancy in the ovulatory patients participating in an ART program.

Important Safety Information

Only physicians thoroughly familiar with infertility treatment, including the risk of multiple births and adverse reactions, should prescribe MENOPUR®.  MENOPUR® is a potent substance capable of causing mild to severe adverse reactions, including OHSS (overall incidence 3.8%), with or without pulmonary or vascular complications, in women undergoing therapy for infertility. MENOPUR® is contraindicated in women who have a high FSH level indicating primary ovarian failure; uncontrolled thyroid and adrenal dysfunction; an organic intracranial lesion such as a pituitary tumor; sex hormone dependent tumors of the reproductive tract and accessory organs; abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin; ovarian cysts or enlargement not due to polycystic ovary syndrome; prior hypersensitivity to menotropins or MENOPUR®. MENOPUR® is not indicated in women who are pregnant.  There are limited human data on the effects of menotropins when administered during pregnancy.

Please visit www.ferringfertility.com for Full Prescribing Information for MENOPUR®.

Footnotes

1. Article published in December 2009 issue of US Obstetrics and Gynecology.
2. Efficacy and safety of highly purified menotropin versus recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles: a randomized, comparative trial, Fertil Steril, 2002;78:520-28.
3. Platteau P, Nyboe Andersen A, Loft A, et al., Highly purified HMG versus recombinant fSH for ovarian stimulation in IVF cycles, Reprod Biomed Online, 2008;17:190-98.

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals