Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Antagonist, Cetrorenix, and the GnRH Agonist, Buserelin, during Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation in In Vitro Fertil

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes between the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, cetrorenix; and the GnRH agonist, buserelin, during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. Material(s) and Method(s): This study was conducted on 57 cycles in 50 couples who used cetrorenix (group I) and on 68 cycles in 56 couples who used buserelin (group II) and were undergoing COH for IVF and ICSI programs. Recombinant FSH and human chorionic gonadotropin were administered for superovulation from cycle day 3 on an individual basis according to the ovarian response. Numbers of oocytes retrieved, oocytes fertilized, and cleaved embryos and pregnancy rates were compared between the two groups. Result(s): Numbers of oocytes and metaphase II oocytes retrieved in group II did not significantly differ from those in group I. The fertilization rate of metaphase II oocytes after insemination in group I (6.7 ± 0.6) was comparable with that of group II (7.3 ± 0.5). The clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate were higher in group I (42.1% and 33.3%) than in group II (38.2% and 27.9%, respectively), but did not statistically significantly differ. No cancellation cycle occurred in either group. There was one instance of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) observed in each group during the study. Conclusion(s): A multiple dose of the GnRH antagonist, cetrorenix, is as effective, efficient, and safe for COH as the long protocol of the GnRH agonist, buserelin, during IVF and ICSI treatment.