title: New concepts in superovulation strategies for assisted conception treatments.
abstract: Controlled ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization treatment using preparations that contain follicle-stimulating hormone has been routinely performed since the 1980s. The early preparations were urinary human menopausal gonadotrophins, containing follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. In the early 1990s, highly purified follicle-stimulating hormone preparations were introduced because of a desire to provide drugs for subcutaneous administration with a lower risk of allergic reactions. Intensive research resulted in the discovery of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone, which is more potent that the highly purified follicle-stimulating hormone, resulting in significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates. The two recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone preparations available appear to be equally effective and provide comparable results. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists, which have recently been introduced, appear to be effective in preventing a premature rise in luteinizing hormone during ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization, as well as improved response to lower doses of gonadotrophins. It is envisaged that the availability of recombinant gonadotrophins and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists will ultimately lead to shorter, cheaper and safer treatments, using reduced dosages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine, Leeds General Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Salha
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Balen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D013480:Superovulation
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone