Is there a place for different isoforms of FSH in clinical medicine? IV. The clinician's point of view

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) plays an important role in gametogenesis in both men and women. In men it is required for the establishment and pro bably maintenance of spermatogenesis. In women it stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles and fluctuations in its secretion are involved in the sel ection of the ovulatory follicle. It is now possible by recombinant DNA tec hnology to synthesize a range of isoforms of FSH with differing biological action and half-life which would provide a greater degree of flexibility in the treatment of women with anovulatory infertility. Longer acting isoform s of FSH would find clinical application in the treatment of hypogonadotrop hic men.