title: Recombinant human luteinizing hormone to trigger ovulation: randomized, controlled, dose-finding pilot study in ovulation induction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-hLH) versus urine-derived human chorionic gonadotropin (u-hCG) to trigger ovulation in women (aged 20-40 years) with WHO Group II anovulatory infertility undergoing ovulation induction (OI) with recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) (150 IU/day starting dose).
  
  
  METHODS
  For this Phase II, open-label, dose-finding pilot study, patients were randomized to doses of 825, 2,750, 5,500, 11,000, or 22,000 IU r-hLH or u-hCG (5,000 IU). Primary endpoints were ovulation and ratio of ruptured follicles/follicle > or = 15 mm (day of r-hLH/ u-hCG administration). Secondary endpoints included monofollicular ovulation and clinical pregnancy rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 67 randomized patients completed treatment. All patients in the r-hLH 2,750 (13/13), 5,500 (12/ 12), 11,000 IU (13/13), and u-hCG 5,000 IU (12/ 12) groups ovulated; 3/5 patients in the r-hLH 825 IU and 2/12 in the r-hLH 22,000 IU group failed to ovulate (p = 0.105 between evaluable groups). The mean ratio of ruptured follicles/ follicle > or = 15 mm was 1.1 (p = 0.675 between groups). The monofollicular ovulation rate was 15/60 (25%). Two cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This open-label, pilot study (conducted in 1999-2001) suggests that the minimal effective dose of r-hLH to trigger ovulation in women with WHO Group II anovulatory infertility undergoing OI with r-hFSH (150 IU starting dose) was 2,750 IU.
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pierson
authors.forename: Olufemi A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Olatunbosun
authors.forename: Donna R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Chizen
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Loumaye
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: De Moustier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000858:Anovulation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D012083:Renin