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Meta-Analysis
. 2017 May 24;5(5):CD005070.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005070.pub3.

Recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) for ovarian stimulation in IVF/ICSI cycles

Monique H Mochtar  1 , Nora A Danhof  1 , Reuben Olugbenga Ayeleke  2 , Fulco Van der Veen  1 , Madelon van Wely  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) for ovarian stimulation in IVF/ICSI cycles

Monique H Mochtar et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: One of the various ovarian stimulation regimens used for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles is the use of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) in combination with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue. GnRH analogues prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges. Since they deprive the growing follicles of LH, the question arises as to whether supplementation with recombinant LH (rLH) would increase live birth rates. This is an updated Cochrane Review; the original version was published in 2007.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and safety of recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) combined with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) for ovarian stimulation compared to rFSH alone in women undergoing in-vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI).

Search methods: For this update we searched the following databases in June 2016: the Gynaecology and Fertility Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and ongoing trials registers, and checked the references of retrieved articles.

Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing rLH combined with rFSH versus rFSH alone in IVF/ISCI cycles.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. We combined data to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed statistical heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. We assessed the overall quality of the evidence for the main comparisons using GRADE methods. Our primary outcomes were live birth rate and incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Secondary outcomes included ongoing pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and cancellation rates (for poor response or imminent OHSS).

Main results: We included 36 RCTs (8125 women). The quality of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate. The main limitations were risk of bias (associated with poor reporting of methods) and imprecision.Live birth rates: There was insufficient evidence to determine whether there was a difference between rLH combined with rFSH versus rFSH alone in live birth rates (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.06; n = 499; studies = 4; I2 = 63%, very low-quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the live birth rate following treatment with rFSH alone is 17% it will be between 15% and 30% using rLH combined with rFSH.OHSS: There may be little or no difference between rLH combined with rFSH versus rFSH alone in OHSS rates (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.14 to 1.01; n = 2178; studies = 6; I2 = 10%, low-quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the rate of OHSS following treatment with rFSH alone is 1%, it will be between 0% and 1% using rLH combined with rFSH.Ongoing pregnancy rate: The use of rLH combined with rFSH probably improves ongoing pregnancy rates, compared to rFSH alone (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.42; participants = 3129; studies = 19; I2 = 2%, moderate-quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the ongoing pregnancy rate following treatment with rFSH alone is 21%, it will be between 21% and 27% using rLH combined with rFSH.Miscarriage rate: The use of rLH combined with rFSH probably makes little or no difference to miscarriage rates, compared to rFSH alone (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.36; n = 1711; studies = 13; I2 = 0%, moderate-quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the miscarriage rate following treatment with rFSH alone is 7%, the miscarriage rate following treatment with rLH combined with rFSH will be between 4% and 9%.Cancellation rates: There may be little or no difference between rLH combined with rFSH versus rFSH alone in rates of cancellation due to low response (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.10; n = 2251; studies = 11; I2 = 16%, low quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the risk of cancellation due to low response following treatment with rFSH alone is 7%, it will be between 4% and 7% using rLH combined with rFSH.We are uncertain whether use of rLH combined with rFSH improves rates of cancellation due to imminent OHSS compared to rFSH alone. Use of a fixed effect model suggested a benefit in the combination group (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.89; n = 2976; studies = 8; I2 = 60%, very low quality evidence) but use of a random effects model did not support the conclusion that there was a difference between the groups (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.97).

Authors' conclusions: We found no clear evidence of a difference between rLH combined with rFSH and rFSH alone in rates of live birth or OHSS. The evidence for these comparisons was of very low-quality for live birth and low quality for OHSS. We found moderate quality evidence that the use of rLH combined with rFSH may lead to more ongoing pregnancies than rFSH alone. There was also moderate-quality evidence suggesting little or no difference between the groups in rates of miscarriage. There was no clear evidence of a difference between the groups in rates of cancellation due to low response or imminent OHSS, but the evidence for these outcomes was of low or very low quality.We conclude that the evidence is insufficient to encourage or discourage stimulation regimens that include rLH combined with rFSH in IVF/ICSI cycles.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Monique H Mochtar: none known

Nora A Danhof: none known

Reuben Olugbenga Ayeleke: none known

Fulco van der Veen: none known

Madelon van Wely: none known

Figures

1
1
Study flow diagram.
2
2
Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.
3
3
Risk of bias summary: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item for each included study.
4
4
Forest plot of comparison: 1 rLH plus rFSH versus rFSH alone for OS in IVF or ICSI treatment cycles, outcome: 1.1 Live birth rate.
5
5
Funnel plot of comparison: 1 rLH plus rFSH versus rFSH alone for ovarian stimulation in IVF or ICSI treatment cycles, outcome: 1.8 Clinical pregnancy.
6
6
Funnel plot of comparison: 1 rLH plus rFSH versus rFSH alone for OS in IVF or ICSI treatment cycles, outcome: 1.10 Adverse events (cancellation due to low response).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Update of

References

References to studies included in this review

Abdelmassih 2006 {published data only}
    1. Abdelmassih V, Salgueiro R, Abdelmassih C, Carizza C. Less miscarriage rate using LH (rLH) in GnRH agonists long protocols. Twenty‐Second Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology; 2006 June 18‐21. Prague: ESHRE, 2006.
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Balasch 2001 {published data only}
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Caserta 2011 {published data only}
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Demirol 2005 {published data only}
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Evangelio 2011 {published data only}
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Fabregues 2011 {published data only}
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Ferraretti 2004 {published data only}
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Ferraretti 2014 {published data only}
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Griesinger 2005 {published data only}
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Humaidan 2004 {published data only}
    1. Humaidan P, Bungum M, Bungum L, Yding Andersen C. Effects of recombinant LH supplementation in women undergoing assisted reproduction with GnRH agonist down‐regulation and stimulation with recombinant FSH: an opening study. Reproductive Biomedine 2004;8(6):635‐43. - PubMed
Konig 2013 {published data only}
    1. König TE, Houwen LE, Overbeek A, Hendriks ML, Beutler‐Beemsterboer SN, Kuchenbecker WK, et al. Recombinant LH supplementation to a standard GnRH antagonist protocol in women of 35 years or older undergoing IVF/ICSI: a randomized controlled multicentre study. Human Reproduction 2013;28(10):2804‐12. - PubMed
Kovacs 2010 {published data only}
    1. Kovacs P, Kovats T, Kaali SG. Results with early follicular phase recombinant luteinizing hormone supplementation during stimulation for in vitro fertilization. Fertility and Sterility 2010;93(2):475‐9. - PubMed
Levi‐Setti 2006 {published data only}
    1. Levi‐Setti PE, Cavagna M, Bulletti C. Recombinant gonadotrophins associated with GnRH antagonist (cetrorelix) in ovarian stimulation for ICSI: comparison of rFSH alone and in combination with rLH. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2006;126:212‐16. - PubMed
Lisi 2005 {published data only}
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Lisi 2012 {published data only}
    1. Lisi F, Caserta D, Montanino M, Berlinghieri V, Bielli W, Carfagna P, et al. Recombinant luteinizing hormone priming in multiple follicular stimulation for in‐vitro fertilization downregulated patients. Gynecological Endocrinology 2012;28(9):674‐7. [DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2011.652716] - DOI - PubMed
Marrs 2003 {published data only}
    1. Marrs R, Meldrum D, Muasher S, Schoolcraft W, Werlin L, Kelly E. Randomized trial to compare the effect of recombinant FSH (follitropin alfa) with or without recombinant human LH in women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment. Reproductive Biomedicine Online 2003;8(2):175‐82. - PubMed
Matorras 2009 {published data only}
    1. Matorras R, Prieto B, Exposito A, Mendoza R, Crisol L, Herranz P, et al. Mid‐follicular LH supplementation in women aged 35‐39 years undergoing ICSI cycles: a randomized controlled study. Reproductive Biomedicine Online 2009;19(6):879‐87. - PubMed
Mohseni 2013 {published data only}
    1. Mohseni F, Dehgani Firouzabadi R, Yari N, Etebary S. Results of adding recombinant LH in normoresponder patients for assisted reproductive technology treatment: a prospective randomized control trial. International Journal of Fertility and Sterility 2013;7:112.
Musters 2012 {published data only}
    1. Musters AM, Wely M, Mastenbroek S, Kaaijk EM, Repping S, Veen F, et al. The effect of recombinant LH on embryo quality: a randomized controlled trial in women with poor ovarian reserve. Human Reproduction 2012;27(1):244‐50. - PubMed
Nazzaro 2012 {published data only}
    1. Nazzaro A, Salemo A. Recombinant LH supplementation to recombinant FSH during induced ovarian stimulation in the GnRH‐antagonist protocol improves implantation and pregnancy rates. Fertility and Sterility 2012;98(3):S280.
Nyboe Andersen 2008 {published data only}
    1. Nyboe Andersen A, Humaidan P, Fried G, Hausken J, Antila L, Bangsbøll S, et al. Nordic LH study group. Recombinant LH supplementation to recombinant FSH during the final days of controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. A multicentre,prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Human Reproduction 2008;23(2):427‐34. - PubMed
Pezzuto 2010 {published data only}
    1. Pezzuto A, Ferrari B, Coppola F, Nardelli GB. LH supplementation in down‐regulated women undergoing assisted reproduction with baseline low serum LH levels. Gynecological Endocrinology 2010;26(2):118‐24. - PubMed
Razi 2014 {published data only}
    1. Razi MH, Mohseni F, Dehghani Firouzabadi R, Janati S, Yari N, Etebary S. Results from adding recombinant LH for assisted reproductive technology treatment: A randomized control trial. Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine 2014;12(2):111‐6. - PMC - PubMed
Ruvolo 2007 {published data only}
    1. Ruvolo G, Bosco L, Pane A, Morici G, Cittadini E, Roccheri MC. Lower apoptosis rate in human cumulus cells after administration of recombinant luteinizing hormone to women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization procedures. Fertility and Sterility 2007;87(3):542‐6. - PubMed
Tarlatzis 2006 {published data only}
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Van der Houwen 2011 {published data only}
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Vuong 2015 {published data only}
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Younis 2014 {published data only}
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References to studies excluded from this review

Acévedo 2004 {published data only}
    1. Acevedo B, Sanchez M, Gomez JL, Cuadros J, Ricciarelli E, Hernandez ER. Luteinizing hormone supplementation increases pregnancy rates in gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonist donor cycles. Fertility and Sterility 2004;82(2):343. - PubMed
Barberi 2012 {published data only}
    1. Barberi M, Ermini B, Morelli MB, Ermini M, Cecconi S, Canipari R. Follicular fluid hormonal profile and cumulus cell gene expression in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with recombinant FSH: Effects of recombinant LH administration. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 2012;29(12):1381‐91. - PMC - PubMed
Baruffi 2006 {published data only}
    1. Baruffi RLR, Mauri AL, Petersen CG, Felipe V, Martins AMC, et al. The use of recombinant luteinizing hormone in addition to recombinant follicle‐stimulating hormone in ovarian stimulation with the GnRH‐antagonist protocol. Jornal Brasileiro de Reproducao Assistida 2006;10(4):9‐16.
Cedrin‐Durnerin 2004 {published and unpublished data}
    1. Cedrin‐Durnerin I, Grange‐Dujardin D, Laffy A, Parneix I, Massin N, Galey J, et al. Recombinant human LH supplementation during GnRH antagonist administration in IVF/ICSI cycles: a prospective randomized study. Human Reproduction 2004;19(9):1979‐84. - PubMed
Cedrin‐Durnerin 2008 {published data only}
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De Placido 2004 {published data only}
    1. Placido G, Alviggi C, Mollo A, Strina I, Ranieri A, Alviggi E, et al. Effects of recombinant LH (rLH) supplementation during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in normogonadotropic women with an initial inadequate response to recombinant FSH (rFSH) after pituitary downregulation. Clinical Endocrinology 2004;60:637‐43. - PubMed
De Placido 2006 {published data only}
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Drakakis 2005 {published data only}
    1. Drakakis P, Loutradis D, Kallianidis K, Liapi A, Milingos S, Makrigiannakis A, et al. Small doses of LH activity are needed early in ovarian stimulation for better quality oocytes in IVF‐ET. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology 2005;121(1):77‐80. - PubMed
Fei Yang 2013 {published data only}
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Fermin 2013 {published data only}
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Garcia‐Velasco 2007 {published data only}
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Gomez‐Palomares 2005 {published data only}
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Hugues 2005 {published data only}
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Lahoud 2010 {published data only}
    1. Lahoud R, Foley J, Ryan J, Costello M, Quinn F, Illingworth P. Recombinant LH supplementation in patients with a relative reduction in lh levels during IVF/ICSI cycles: A prospective randomised controlled trial. Human Reproduction 2010;25(6):i90 (Abstract no. O‐227). - PubMed
Lisi 2003 {published data only}
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Motta 2006 {published data only}
    1. Motta ELA, Maia V, Massaguer A, Fassolas G, Rocca T, Rossi LM, et al. Administration of either recombinant LH or increasing dose of recombinant FSH in late follicular phase of patients with suboptimal response. Abstracts of the 22nd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE); 2006 June 18‐21; Prague. 2006:O‐141, i55.
Papanikolaou 2010 {published data only}
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Sauer 2004 {published data only}
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