Table 1.
Characteristics of included studies comparing hMG versus r-hFSH
| First author, year, reference number | Methods | Patient population | Interventions | Chalmers Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duijkers 1997 [46] | RCT, allocation method not specified | Female patients with tubal pathology or unexplained infertility, ages 20 to 40 years | GnRH-a for 14 days then HMG versus r-hFSH 150 IU daily | 58 |
| Jansen et al. 1998 [19] | RCT, assessor-blind; allocation by number from randomization list that corresponded to medication box | Normo-ovulatory females, ages 18 to 39 years; excluded endocrine-related causes, including PCOS, and male infertility | HMG versus r-hFSH 150-225 IU daily for 4 days then adjusted | 72 |
| Kornilov et al. 1999 [20] | RCT, allocation by randomization method not provided | Female patients undergoing IVF | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 150-300 IU daily for 5 days then adjusted | 67 |
| Serhal et al. 2000 [21] | Pseudo-randomised, open-label, single-centre study. Allocation by alternating weeks. | Couples with infertility due to tubal factor or unexplained, endometriosis and male factor infertility allowed, female age < 40 (mean 34, SD 4.4) yrs, BMI < 30 | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 150-300 IU daily for 5 days then adjusted | 60 |
| Ng et al. 2001 [16] | RCT, allocation by computerized randomization in sealed envelopes | Normo-ovulatory females, age < 40 years; severe male factor requiring ICSI | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 300 IU for first 2 days, then 150 IU daily | 56 |
| Strehler et al. 2001 [22] | RCT, allocation by computerized randomization | Unselected female population that did not specifically exclude PCOS, age ≤ 40 years. | GnRH-a short protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 150-450 IU daily | 67 |
| Westergaard et al. 2001 [17] | RCT, allocation by computerized randomization | Normo-ovulatory females, age < 40 years; excluded endocrine-related causes, including PCOS | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 225 IU daily for 7 days then adjusted | 64 |
| Gordon et al. 2001 [15] | RCT, assessor-blinded; allocation by computerized randomization | Normo-ovulatory females, ages 20 to 39 years; excluded endocrine-related causes, including PCOS, and male infertility | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 225 IU daily for 5 days then adjusted | 63 |
| European and Israeli Study Group 2002 [14] | RCT, allocation by computerized randomization list in blocks of four | Normo-ovulatory females, ages 18-38 years; excluded endocrine disorders, including PCOS | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 225 IU daily for 5 days then adjusted | 71 |
| Kilani et al. 2003 [25] | RCT, allocation by randomization sequence | Normo-ovulatory females with no PCOS or endometriosis | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 150 IU daily for 14 days then adjusted | 67 |
| Balasch et al. 2003 [24] | RCT, allocation by computerized randomization | Normo-ovulatory females, ages 26-37 years with no PCOS | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 150 IU daily for 14 days then adjusted | 65 |
| Rashidi et al. 2005 [29] | RCT, allocation by computerized randomization | Normo-ovulatory females, ages ≤ 35 years with no PCOS or endometriosis | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 150 IU daily then adjusted | 72 |
| Andersen et al. 2006 [5] | RCT, allocation by computerized randomization, stratified by patient age (< 35 years, 35-37 years) | Normo-ovulatory females, ages 21-37 years; excluded PCOS, endometriosis stage III/IV, severe male factor requiring ICSI | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 225 IU daily for 5 days then adjusted | 77 |
| Hompes et al. 2008 [28] | RCT, allocation by permuted blocks of random size | Unselected female population, ages 18-39 years, excluding endocrine abnormality including PCOS | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 150 IU daily fixed dose with adjustment permitted | 76 |
| Bosch et al. 2008 [27] | RCT, allocation by computerized allocation | Normo-ovulatory females, ages 18-37 years, excluding PCOS | OCP pre-treatment then hMG versus r-hFSH 225 IU daily for 2 days, then adjusted; fixed GnRH-ant protocol beginning cycle day 6 | 57 |
| Ruvolo et al. 2009 [47] | RCT, allocation by computerized allocation | Unselected IVF female population whit FSH level of < 12 IU/mL and BMI < 28 kg/m2 | GnRH-a long protocol then hMG versus r-hFSH 225 IU daily fixed dose with adjustment permitted | 52 |
RCT = randomized controlled trial; hMG = human menopausal gonadotrophins; r-hFSH = recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone; PCOS = polycystic ovarian syndrome; GnRH-a = gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist; IVF = in vitro fertilization; ICSI = intracytoplasmic sperm injection