Effect of metformin and exenatide on pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcomes in overweight or obese infertility PCOS women: long-term follow-up of an RCT.

Li R, Mai T, Zheng S, Zhang Y

Archives of gynecology and obstetrics13 Jul 2022Cited by 39 (Europe PMC)

PMID35829765DOI10.1007/s00404-022-06700-3PepBankPUB-35829765

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study5

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In overweight or obese infertile Chinese women with PCOS, initial exenatide increased spontaneous pregnancy versus metformin at week 24.
In plain wordsInitial exenatide increased spontaneous pregnancy compared with metformin in overweight or obese infertile Chinese women with PCOS.
Peptide
Exenatide (exendin-4)
Outcome
IncreaseSpontaneous pregnancy at week 24
Study
n = 160
Comparator
Metformin
Analysis
Primary
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Spontaneous pregnancy
29.2%
exenatide
Spontaneous pregnancy
14.7%
metformin
Source sentences
Summary
At week 24, 29.2% of women in exenatide group conceived spontaneously while 14.7% in metformin group (p = 0.03).
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this long-term follow-up study, 160 overweight or obese infertility Chinese PCOS were randomized to exenatide or metformin treatment for 12 weeks.
Summary · context
Afterward, all were treated with metformin alone until pregnancy confirmed and followed until delivery.
Summary · context
If patients failed spontaneous pregnancy during the second 12 weeks, ART could be offered until end of 64 weeks.
Report a problemFND-3582976501
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In overweight or obese infertile Chinese women with PCOS, total pregnancy rates did not differ between initial exenatide and metformin.
In plain wordsTotal pregnancy rates did not differ between initial exenatide and metformin in these women with PCOS.
Peptide
Exenatide (exendin-4)
Outcome
No significant changeTotal pregnancy at week 64
Study
n = 160
Comparator
Metformin
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Total pregnancy
79.2%
exenatide
Total pregnancy
76%
metformin
Source sentences
Summary
At week 64, total pregnancy rates were 79.2% in exenatide group and 76% in metformin group without significant difference (p = 0.65).
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this long-term follow-up study, 160 overweight or obese infertility Chinese PCOS were randomized to exenatide or metformin treatment for 12 weeks.
Summary · context
Afterward, all were treated with metformin alone until pregnancy confirmed and followed until delivery.
Summary · context
If patients failed spontaneous pregnancy during the second 12 weeks, ART could be offered until end of 64 weeks.
Report a problemFND-3582976502
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In women with PCOS who conceived, pregnancy outcomes did not differ between initial exenatide and metformin groups.
In plain wordsPregnancy outcomes did not differ between initial exenatide and metformin in women with PCOS who conceived.
Peptide
Exenatide (exendin-4)
Outcome
No significant changePregnancy outcomes
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Metformin
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Between two groups, there was no significant difference of pregnancy outcomes (p > 0.05).
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this long-term follow-up study, 160 overweight or obese infertility Chinese PCOS were randomized to exenatide or metformin treatment for 12 weeks.
Summary · context
Afterward, all were treated with metformin alone until pregnancy confirmed and followed until delivery.
Summary · context
If patients failed spontaneous pregnancy during the second 12 weeks, ART could be offered until end of 64 weeks.
Report a problemFND-3582976503

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

In this study, Exenatide (exendin-4) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Exenatide (exendin-4).

04HumanNot a test of Exenatide (exendin-4) aloneObservational studyMechanism
In women with PCOS, spontaneous pregnancy was positively associated with weight reduction in either treatment group.
In plain wordsSpontaneous pregnancy was linked to weight reduction in both treatment groups.
Peptide
Exenatide (exendin-4)
Outcome
IncreasePregnancy association with weight reduction
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
A stepwise logistic regression showed that spontaneous pregnancy was positively associated with body weight reduction and HOMA-IR improvement in either group.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this long-term follow-up study, 160 overweight or obese infertility Chinese PCOS were randomized to exenatide or metformin treatment for 12 weeks.
Summary · context
Afterward, all were treated with metformin alone until pregnancy confirmed and followed until delivery.
Summary · context
If patients failed spontaneous pregnancy during the second 12 weeks, ART could be offered until end of 64 weeks.
In this study, Exenatide (exendin-4) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Exenatide (exendin-4).
Report a problemFND-3582976504
05HumanNot a test of Exenatide (exendin-4) aloneObservational studyMechanism
In women with PCOS, spontaneous pregnancy was positively associated with HOMA-IR improvement in either treatment group.
In plain wordsSpontaneous pregnancy was linked to improved insulin resistance in both treatment groups.
Peptide
Exenatide (exendin-4)
Outcome
IncreasePregnancy association with HOMA-IR improvement
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
A stepwise logistic regression showed that spontaneous pregnancy was positively associated with body weight reduction and HOMA-IR improvement in either group.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this long-term follow-up study, 160 overweight or obese infertility Chinese PCOS were randomized to exenatide or metformin treatment for 12 weeks.
Summary · context
Afterward, all were treated with metformin alone until pregnancy confirmed and followed until delivery.
Summary · context
If patients failed spontaneous pregnancy during the second 12 weeks, ART could be offered until end of 64 weeks.
In this study, Exenatide (exendin-4) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Exenatide (exendin-4).
Report a problemFND-3582976505

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
22 Oct 2026, 02:26 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
21 Oct 2026, 18:59 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.