Spontaneous pregnancies in two women with Laron-type dwarfism: are growth hormone and circulating insulin-like growth factor mandatory for induction of ovulation?
It has recently been claimed that growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factors have a role in follicular development; different mechanisms of action have been proposed. Of late, many investigators have been led by these findings to use GH and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) for induction of ovulation, in combination with human menopausal gonadotrophins. It is, however, still doubtful whether or not growth hormones and/or insulin-like growth factors are mandatory for follicular development and fertility. In this study we describe two women with Laron-type dwarfism who lacked insulin-like growth factors and who had spontaneous pregnancies. We also discuss different natural defects in the production and metabolism of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factors in humans, and the fertility performance of the affected females. It is our assumption that GH and systemic insulin-like growth factors may modulate follicular development, but that they are not necessarily mandatory for ovarian follicular development.
Menashe
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Sack
J
J
Mashiach
S
S
D000328:Adult; D004393:Dwarfism, Pituitary / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone