Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39980039›Full record

ArticleReproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E2025

Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with follitropin delta results in higher cumulative live birth rates compared with follitropin alfa/beta in a large retrospectively analyzed real-world data set.

T K Eggersmann, M Schütt, J Becker, M Kimmel, H Aust, J Winkler, A Freis

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

T K Eggersmann *Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck and Universitäres Kinderwunschzentrum Lübeck und Manhagen, Lübeck, Germany.
M Schütt *Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Endocrinology, Reproductive Medicine and Osteology, University Hospital Gießen and Marburg, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
J Becker *Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
M KimmelGerman I.V.F Registry (D.I.R), Duesseldorf, Germany.
H AustDataBraineo, Middelburg, Netherlands.
J WinklerFerring Germany, Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health, M & S, Kiel, Germany.
A FreisMedicus Bergen, Bergen, Norway. alexander@medicus.no.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFollitropin delta (hrFSH) is the first recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone produced in a human cell line and more closely resembles native human FSH than follitropin alfa/beta (rFSH). Its efficacy and safety have been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials. However, to date, no real-world study has evaluated the reproductive outcomes associated with controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with hrFSH compared to rFSH.

methodsThis study was a retrospective analysis of real-world data prospectively collected by the German IVF Registry (D-I-R; Deutsches IVF-Register). Data from women undergoing COS in Germany between 2017 and 2022 were included, specifically from centers using both hrFSH and rFSH for COS (N = 74). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match groups to minimize potential confounders. Matching criteria included age, year of stimulation, stimulation protocol, reproductive procedure, treatment indication, preconditions, and patient sterility factors. Outcomes were number of oocytes retrieved, pregnancy rate (PR) and cumulative PR (followed up to 12/31/2022 and 12/31/2021, respectively), and LBR and cumulative LBR (followed up to 12/31/2021 and 12/31/2020, respectively).

resultsBefore and after matching, the mean number of oocytes retrieved was similar between the two groups. Prior to matching, there was no statistically significant difference in PR or LBR per embryo transfer (ET) between women who received hrFSH or those who received rFSH (PR: 38.0% vs. 36.8%; p = 0.1090; LBR: 29.4% vs. 28.2%; p = 0.1103). When examining the cumulative pregnancy rates (PR) and live birth rates (LBR) for all fresh and frozen/thawed embryo transfers (FET) following the initial oocyte retrieval, notable differences emerged between the groups. The use of hrFSH was linked to higher percentages compared to rFSH, with cumulative PR at 68.0% versus 64.9% (p < 0.05) and cumulative LBR at 57.3% versus 51.9% (p < 0.01). After matching, the cumulative LBR remained significantly higher when hrFSH was used for ovarian stimulation compared to rFSH (57.4% vs. 50.7%; p < 0.05).

conclusionIn this large retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected real-world data set, the higher cumulative LBR with hrFSH compared to rFSH supports the use of an individualized fertility treatment approach based on hrFSH.

Indexed as

Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta SubunitFollicle Stimulating Hormone, HumanLive BirthOvulation InductionAdultBirth RateFemaleFertilization in VitroGermanyHumansOocyte RetrievalPregnancyPregnancy RateRecombinant ProteinsRegistriesRetrospective StudiesFollicle Stimulating Hormone, beta SubunitFollicle Stimulating Hormone, Humanfollitropin alfafollitropin betafollitropin deltaRecombinant ProteinsFollitropin deltaLive birthOvarian stimulationPregnancyReal-world study

Identifiers

PMID39980039
PMCPMC11841343

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.