New concepts in superovulation strategies for assisted conception treatments

Controlled ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization treatment using p reparations that contain follicle-stimulating hormone has been routinely pe rformed since the 1980s. The early preparations were urinary human menopaus al gonadotrophins, containing follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. In the early 1990s, highly purified follicle-stimulating hormone p reparations were introduced because of a desire to provide drugs for subcut aneous administration with a lower risk of allergic reactions. intensive re search resulted in the discovery of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormon e, which is more potent that the highly purified follicle-stimulating hormo ne, resulting in significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates. The two rec ombinant follicle-stimulating hormone preparations available appear to be e qually effective and provide comparable results. Gonadotrophin-releasing ho rmone antagonists, which have recently been introduced, appear to be effect ive in preventing a premature rise in luteinizing hormone during ovarian st imulation for in-vitro fertilization, as well as improved response to lower doses of gonadotrophins, It is envisaged that the availability of recombin ant gonadotrophins and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists will ult imately lead to shorter, cheaper and safer treatments, using reduced dosage s. (C) 2000 Lippincott Wiillams & Wilkins.