Human Reproduction, Vol. 14, No. 8, 1939-1943,
August 1999
© 1999 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Does growth hormone-releasing factor assist follicular development in poor responder patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization?
1 Ares-Serono International SA, 15 bis Chemin des Mines,CP 54, 1211 Geneva 20, 2 Fertility Unit, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland, 3 University Department, OBGYN, Glasgow, UK, 4 Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge, UK, 5 Monash University and Monash IVF, Melbourne, Australia, 6 Indianapolis Fertility Center, Indianapolis, USA and 7 Klinikum Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
Treatment with growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) has been reported to improve the ovarian response to gonadotrophins in women who respond poorly to ovarian stimulation during in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The efficacy and tolerability of GRF were studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 196 patients. Following down-regulation with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), patients were randomized to receive GRF (500 µg twice daily; n = 96) or placebo (n = 100) in addition to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH); treatment was continued until human chorionic gonadotrophin was given, or for a maximum of 14 days. GRF had no significant effect on the mean number of follicles with a diameter of 
16 mm (GRF: 3.26 ± 2.29; placebo: 3.27 ± 2.30; P = 0.95), the number of FSH ampoules required to achieve ovarian stimulation (GRF: 55.2 ± 16.4; placebo: 54.9 ± 17.2; P = 0.50), or on secondary measures of ovarian response and treatment outcome. There were, however, significant increases in circulating growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 concentrations. GRF was well tolerated. It is concluded that, despite producing significant increases in GH and IGF-1, concomitant treatment with GRF does not improve the ovarian response to FSH in poorly responsive women undergoing IVF.
Key words: follicle stimulating hormone/follicular development/gonadotrophin treatment/growth hormone-releasing factor/in-vitro fertilization
8 To whom correspondence should be addressed
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  T.A. Gelbaya, M. Kyrgiou, T.C. Li, C. Stern, and L.G. Nardo Low-dose aspirin for in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis Hum. Reprod. Update, July 1, 2007; 13(4): 357 - 364. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. S. Macklon, R. L. Stouffer, L. C. Giudice, and B. C. J. M. Fauser The Science behind 25 Years of Ovarian Stimulation for in Vitro Fertilization Endocr. Rev., April 1, 2006; 27(2): 170 - 207. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L.-P. Cheung, P.-M. Lam, I. H. Lok, T. T.-Y. Chiu, S.-Y. Yeung, C.-C. Tjer, and C. J. Haines GnRH antagonist versus long GnRH agonist protocol in poor responders undergoing IVF: a randomized controlled trial Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2005; 20(3): 616 - 621. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S.D. Keay, N.H. Liversedge, V.A. Akande, R.S. Mathur, and J.M. Jenkins Serum IGF-1 concentrations following pituitary desensitization do not predict the ovarian response to gonadotrophin stimulation prior to IVF Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2003; 18(9): 1797 - 1801. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Penarrubia, J. Balasch, M. Garcia-Bermudez, R. Casamitjana, J. A. Vanrell, and E. R. Hernandez Growth hormone does not increase the expression of insulin-like growth factors and their receptor genes in the pre-menopausal human ovary Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2000; 15(6): 1241 - 1246. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|