Abstract
The efficacy of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) as an alternative to luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) for the initiation of periovulatory events in primate follicles is unknown. A single bolus of 2500 IU recombinant (r)-hFSH was compared to 1000 IU r-HCG for its ability to promote oocyte nuclear maturation and fertilization, granulosa cell luteinization and corpus luteum function following r-hFSH (60 IU/day) induction of multiple follicular development in rhesus monkeys. Following the r-hFSH bolus, bioactive luteinizing hormone concentrations were < 3 ng/ml. Peak concentrations of serum FSH (1455 ± 314 mIU/ml; mean ± SEM) were attained 2-8 h after r-hFSH, and declined by 96 h. Bioactive HCG concentrations peaked between 2-8 h after r-HCG and remained ≤ 100 ng/ml for > 48 h, while immunoreactive FSH concentrations were at baseline. The proportion of oocytes resuming meiosis and undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) were comparable for r-hFSH (89%; 47 ± 19%) and r-HCG (88%; 50 ± 17%). In-vitro progesterone production and expression of progesterone receptors in granulosa cells did not differ between groups. Peak concentrations of serum progesterone in the luteal phase were similar, but were lower 6-9 days post-FSH relative to HCG. Thus, a bolus of r-hFSH was equivalent to r-HCG for the reinitiation of oocyte meiosis, fertilization and granulosa cell luteinization, but a midcycle FSH surge did not sustain normal luteal function in primates.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 554-560 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Human Reproduction |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1998 |
Keywords
- Gonadotrophin surge
- In-vitro fertilization
- Oocyte maturation
- Recombinant FSH
- Recombinant HCG
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology