In vitro fertilization
Prospective, randomized trial comparing cetrorelix acetate and ganirelix acetate in a programmed, flexible protocol for premature luteinizing hormone surge prevention in assisted reproductive technologies

Presented in part at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 2004.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.03.016Get rights and content
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Objective

To compare the safety and efficacy of single-dose cetrorelix acetate (3 mg) and daily ganirelix acetate (0.25 mg) in the inhibition of premature LH surge in women undergoing cycle-programmed ovarian stimulation before Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

Design

Prospective, open-label, randomized, comparative study.

Setting

Sixteen ART centers in the United States.

Patient(s)

One hundred eighty-five infertile patients undergoing ART.

Intervention(s)

Single injection of cetrorelix (3 mg SC) or daily dose of ganirelix (0.25 mg SC) was administered when the lead follicle was ≥14 mm. Daily cetrorelix (0.25 mg) was administered if the criteria for hCG administration were not met 4 days after receiving 3 mg of cetrorelix.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Percentage of patients who did not have a premature LH surge, defined as LH <10 IU/L on the day of hCG administration. The IVF and embryo transfer (ET) outcomes were assessed.

Result(s)

No patient in either treatment group had a premature LH surge. There were no statistically significant differences between treatments for any IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or ET outcomes, including pregnancy rate (PR). However, cetrorelix required significantly fewer injections than ganirelix. Similar safety profiles were observed.

Conclusion(s)

Cetrorelix and ganirelix effectively prevented LH surges in oral contraceptive (OC) pill-programmed, flexible protocols, with similar safety profiles and PRs; however, cetrorelix required significantly fewer injections, increasing patient convenience.

Key Words

Antagonist
cetrorelix acetate
ganirelix acetate
oral contraceptives programming
assisted reproductive technology
inhibition of premature LH surge
follitropin alfa

Cited by (0)

Supported by Serono, Inc., Rockland, Massachusetts.