Comparison of a Novel Minimal Stimulation Protocol with Clomiphene Citrate plus Recombinant Follicle-stimulating Hormone to Recombinant Follicle-stimulating Hoimone Alone for Ovulation Induction: A Prospective Study

Objective: The aim of this study has been to compare a combined minimal stimulation protocol with clomiphene citrate (CC) plus recombinant FSH (recFSH) to the standard protocol using recFSH only. Materials and Methods: In the study group (n-34), CC 100 mg/day, was used between the cycle days of three to seven, and recFSH was used on cycle days 5, 7, and 9 at a fixed dosage of 75 units. In the control group (n=31), 75 units of recFSH was started on cycle day 3, and dosage was adjusted to the ovarian response. Results: Total dose per treatment cycle was 225 units of recFSH in the study group, and 805.64 +/- 515.00 units of recFSH in the control group. The cost was significantly different between the groups (p<0.001). Three clinical pregnancies (8.8%) in the study group, and 2 clinical pregnancies (6.5%) in the control group were not statistically different:. Discussion: Our study suggests that this protocol is as effective as standard recFSH protocol, and it has lower cost for patients and the clinic. However, in order to reach a final conclusion, more study is needed with higher number of patients.