HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN - PHARMACOKINETICS OF SUBCUTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic s of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) following different regimens o f subcutaneous and intramuscular single-dose administration. Two hypog onadotropic hypogonadal volunteers received hCG injections without pri or ovarian stimulation. The regimens included a single dose of 10000 I U hCG either subcutaneously or intramuscularly, or 5000 IU hCG intramu scularly. Serum beta-hCG concentrations were measured periodically up to 13 days after hCG administration. Each of the three regimens exhibi t a similar pharmacokinetic profile, and the highest serum beta-hCG co ncentrations were achieved with a dose of 10000 IU administered subcut aneously. Seven days after hCG administration beta-hCG was detectable only after subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of 10000 IU, b ut not after a single intramuscular injection of 5000 IU. From the pre liminary results of the study it is suggested that a single intramuscu lar dose of 5000 IU hCG might be sufficient to trigger ovulation, but for luteal-phase support a higher dose may be needed. Subcutaneous adm inistration of hCG for the induction of ovulation or luteal-phase supp ort in gonadoptropin-induced cycles is feasible and might offer a bett er tolerance and cost-effectiveness of infertility treatments, leading to their further simplification.