Recombinant LH is equally effective as recombinant hCG in promoting oocyte maturation in a clinical in-vitro maturation programme:: a randomized study

BACKGROUND: Fertilization treatment using oocytes matured in vitro from pre-ovulatory follicles has many potential applications. It minimizes the risk of severe ovarian hyperstimulation and is an alternative for women with polycystic ovary syndrome who may have problems regarding stimulation for IVF. In-vitro maturation (IVM) may prove important for subjects needing fertility preservation, and also provides information about the final stages of oocyte maturation. METHODS: From a randomized study of 73 women in an IVF programme, 36 subjects with 228 oocytes were allocated for oocyte maturation in culture medium with recombinant hCG, and 37 subjects with 256 oocytes for maturation with recombinant LH. The primary outcome was the rate of nuclear maturation of oocytes to metaphase II. During the same period, 32 women outside the study underwent 38 individually tailored IVM treatments. RESULTS: The oocyte maturation rate was 54.8% with hCG and 55.9% with LH; fertilization and cleavage rates were not significantly different. Three pregnancies were achieved in the hCG group and one in the LH group. Seven pregnancies (22.6% per embryo transfer) were achieved in the parallel group. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant hCG or LH are equally effective in promoting oocyte maturation in a clinical IVM programme.