Comparison of DNA damage in granulosa cells of women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilization protocols with the recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormones Corneumon, Gonal-F, Pergoveris and Puregon: a randomized trial.

Purpose: To compare the DNA damage in granulosa cells (GCs) of women undergoing ovarian-stimulated cycles with four widely used recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormones (rhFSH) in in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols (Corneumon, Gonal-F, Pergoveris and Puregon).

Methods: A randomized trial was carried out at a Mexican hospital. GCs were isolated from 18 women with infertility undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART). Four controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols including Corneumon, Gonal-F, Pergoveris or Puregon were used. GCs DNA damage was assessed by the Comet assay. Two parameters were measured: comet tail length (CTL), and Olive tail moment (OTM, the percentage of DNA in the tail multiplied by the distance between the center of the tail and head).

Results: Use of the different hrFSH in COS caused variable and statistically significant levels of DNA damage in GCs of infertile women. CTL was similar in the Corneumon and Pergoveris groups (mean values of 48.73 and 55.18, respectively) and Corneumon CTL was significantly lower compared to the Gonal-F and Puregon groups (mean values of 61.98 and 91.17, respectively). Mean OTM values were significantly lower in Corneumon and Pergoveris groups, compared to Gonal-F and Puregon groups (25.59, 27.35, 34.76, and 47.27, respectively).

Conclusion: Use of Corneumon and Pergoveris in COS caused statistically significantly lower levels of DNA damage in GCs of infertile women undergoing ART, which could potentially correlate with better reproductive outcomes.