The Effect of Follitropin Alfa in Controlled Ovarian Stimulation Protocol for In Vitro Fertilization Cycles

Prasetiawati, Novitai; Sundari, Ayu; Supriyadi, Agus; Sjarbaini, Hadi; Tarigan, Sudirmanto; Suardana, Gde; Pariyanti, Gangsar; Indah, Deana; Purwatyningsih, Euis; Bowolaks, Anom

doi:10.18502/jri.v24i2.12499

The Effect of Follitropin Alfa in Controlled Ovarian Stimulation Protocol for In Vitro Fertilization Cycles

Authors

Novitai Prasetiawati ¹

Ayu Sundari ²

Agus Supriyadi ³

Hadi Sjarbaini ³

Sudirmanto Tarigan ³

Gde Suardana ³

Gangsar Pariyanti ³

Deana Indah ³

Euis Purwatyningsih ³

Anom Bowolaks ²

¹ Graduate School of Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia

² Graduate School of Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia; Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms in Biological Systems (CEMBIOS) Research Group, Department

³ Melati Infertility Clinic, Harapan Kita Women and Children Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia

10.18502/jri.v24i2.12499

Abstract

Background: Follitropin alfa (FA) is one of the most widely used exogenous gonadotropins in both agonist and antagonist protocols for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, reports of its effectiveness are limited, particularly in terms of its impact on overall IVF outcomes and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Therefore, in this study, FA competency was investigated by evaluating its effect on IVF outcomes and OHSS, administering agonist and antagonist COS protocols. Methods: A retrospective study with 120 subjects was conducted. Outcomes comprising the number of retrieved and fertilized oocytes, quality of embryos, and clinical pregnancies were assessed. Statistical correlation between FA dose, IVF outcomes, and the incidence of OHSS was also analyzed. All statistical analyses were performed at 95% confidence level. Results: There was no significant difference in both protocols regarding retrieved oocytes (p=0.604), fertilized oocytes (p=0.761), embryo quality including good, average, poor embryo (p=0.875, p=0.565, p=0.785), and clinical pregnancy (p=0.844). However, FA doses in the agonist protocol were shown notably higher (p=0.001). Negative correlations were also observed between FA dose and the number of retrieved oocytes (r=-0.255, p<0.01), fertilized oocytes (r=-0.296, p<0.01), and good quality embryos (r=-0.231, p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study suggested that FA yields similar outcomes in both COS protocols, but agonist protocols require higher doses of FA and evaluation of its effect on OHSS is an important area of research for further investigation.

Keywords

Agonist

Antagonist

Follitropin alfa

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)

In vitro fertilization

OHSS