Serum and follicular fluid insulin like growth factors I and II during growth hormone co-treatment for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
We wished to assess the changes in serum IGF-I and IGF-II concentrations during gonadotrophin treatment alone or with additional GH treatment and to compare follicular fluid IGF-I and IGF-II concentrations in the two treatment groups.


METHODS
We performed an open study of co-treatment with GH and subsequently a randomized double blind comparison of addition of placebo or GH to clomiphene citrate and gonadotrophins.


METHODS
We studied previously poor responders to superovulation regimens for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, six women in an open study, four of whom had ultrasound diagnosed polycystic ovaries, and 17 women in a double blind study, 12 of whom had polycystic ovaries.


METHODS
We measured serum IGF-I and IGF-II concentrations throughout treatment cycles. Follicular fluid concentrations were measured at the time of oocyte recovery.


RESULTS
Neither serum IGF-I nor IGF-II concentrations were altered by gonadotrophin treatment alone. However, co-treatment with GH led to a significant rise in serum IGF-I concentrations in women with ultrasound diagnosed polycystic ovaries. Concentrations of IGF-I and IGF-II in follicular fluid were lower than in serum, although follicular fluid IGF-I concentrations were higher in women receiving GH than in those receiving placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
Poor responders to superovulation regimens may have an abnormality of growth factor response. GH co-treatment leads to an increase in circulating IGF-I concentrations in women with polycystic ovaries but our results do not support the hypothesis that GH stimulates IGF-I production in the human ovary.
Owen
E J
EJ
Cobbold Laboratories, Middlesex Hospital, London, UK.
Torresani
T
T
West
C
C
Mason
B A
BA
Jacobs
H S
HS
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D013006:Growth Hormone