title: Steroid hormone pretreatments in assisted reproductive technology.
abstract: Adequate availability and FSH sensitivity of ovarian antral follicles and coordination of their growth during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) rank among factors that may determine outcome, particularly in patients presenting ovarian function defects and so-called "poor responders." Growing evidence indicates that both factors are positively influenced by steroid hormone pretreatments. First, data from studies conducted in both animals and in women exposed to virilizing androgen doses indicate that androgen pretreatments may increase follicle responsiveness to FSH and/or the number of growing follicles in the ovary, thereby constituting an interesting perspective in the management of "poor responders." Second, overcoming pre-COH heterogeneities in antral follicle sizes, which are more pronounced in "poor responders," to achieve adequate coordination of multiple follicular growth during COH also is contributive. For this, suppression or attenuation of the premature FSH increase during the preceding late luteal phase using sex steroid pretreatments (oral contraceptives, synthetic progestogens, or estradiol), or additional strategies such as premenstrual GnRH antagonist administration has been shown to be effective. The present paper will critically review proposed mechanisms and clinical results of sex steroid hormone pretreatments in these two different indications as an effort to optimizing COH outcome.
authors: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Foch, University Paris-Ouest, Suresnes, France.
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Nassar
authors: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Foch, University Paris-Ouest, Suresnes, France.
authors: Teddy
authors: T
authors: Tadros
authors: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Foch, University Paris-Ouest, Suresnes, France.
authors: Elodie
authors: E
authors: Adda-Herzog
authors: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Foch, University Paris-Ouest, Suresnes, France.
authors: Jean Marc
authors: JM
authors: Ayoubi
authors: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Foch, University Paris-Ouest, Suresnes, France. Electronic address: r.fanchin@hopital-foch.com.
authors: Renato
authors: R
authors: Fanchin
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D004958:Estradiol
keywords: Follicular synchronization; GnRH antagonist; androgens; controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; estradiol; oral contraceptives; small antral follicles