CURTAIN RAISER 8 – Gonadotrophin in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
This video will give an in-depth overview of understanding the Role of Gonadotrophins in Infertility and ART
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Essential for follicle growth and maturation
Regulates the production of Estradiol in women and sperm production in men
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Triggers ovulation in women
Supports testosterone production in men
Estradiol
Key hormone for female reproductive health
Regulates menstrual cycle and supports embryo implantation
Serum Progesterone
Supports the endometrium to allow embryo implantation
Indicates the presence of a functional corpus luteum
Assessing Ovarian Reserve and Hormonal Therapy Options
Ovarian Reserve
Evaluates a woman’s reproductive potential
Involves assessing the number of available eggs and their quality
Clomiphene and Letrozole
Oral medications used to stimulate ovulation
Induce the release of gonadotrophins (FSH and LH) from the pituitary gland
Gonadotrophin Therapy
a.Injection-based hormonal treatment
It involves injecting synthetic hormones into a woman’s body to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. These hormones mimic the action of the natural hormones produced by the pituitary gland in the brain that regulate the menstrual cycle.
b.Directly stimulates the ovaries
The hormones in the injections stimulate the follicles in the ovaries to grow and mature. Follicles are fluid-filled sacs that contain immature eggs. The therapy aims to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature follicles.
c.Produce multiple mature follicles
The goal of gonadotrophin therapy is to produce multiple mature follicles that can be fertilized by sperm. This increases the chances of pregnancy for women who are having difficulty conceiving. The maturation of multiple follicles is monitored through ultrasound scans and blood tests, and the timing of ovulation is determined to optimize the chances of fertilization.
Types of Gonadotrophins Used in ART
Human Menopausal Gonadotrophins (HMG)
Obtained from the urine of postmenopausal women
Contains a mix of FSH and LH
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG)
Mimics the action of LH
Used to trigger ovulation in ART
Recombinant Gonadotrophins
Produced using recombinant DNA technology
Offers greater purity and consistency
Commonly Used Recombinant Gonadotrophins
Gonal-f (Recombinant FSH)
Used to stimulate follicle development in women
Can also be used for male fertility treatment
Recagon (Recombinant FSH)
Similar to Gonal-f in function
Another option for follicle stimulation in women
Follisurge (Recombinant LH)
Supports follicle maturation and ovulation
Often used in combination with recombinant FSH
Folligraph (Recombinant HCG)
Triggers final oocyte maturation and ovulation
Used in ART procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Urinary Gonadotrophins
Alternative to recombinant gonadotrophins
Derived from human urine
May contain varying levels of FSH, LH, and HCG