A unique human chorionic gonadotropin antagonist suppresses ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in rats.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a complication of in vitro fertilization associated with physiological changes after hCG administration to induce final oocyte maturation. It presents as widespread increases in vascular permeability and, in rare cases, results in cycle cancellation, multi-organ dysfunction, and pregnancy termination. These physiological changes are due primarily to activation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system in response to exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Biomarkers of ovarian function in girls and women with classic galactosemia.

Objective: To determine whether premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) associated with classic galactosemia results from a true impairment of ovarian function or from aberrant FSH.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University research laboratory.

Efficacy of native and hyperglycosylated follicle-stimulating hormone analogs for promoting fertility in female mice.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) with rhFSH with four additional O-linked carbohydrates (rhFSH-CTP), rhFSH with four additional N-linked carbohydrates (rhFSH-N4), and the current gold standard for rodent ovarian stimulation, pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), on fertility parameters in mice.

Design: Animal study.

Setting: Academic research center.

Single-chain bifunctional vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-C-terminal peptide (CTP) is superior to the combination therapy of recombinant VEGF plus FSH-CTP in stimulating angiogenesis during ovarian folliculogenesis.

Infertility technologies often employ exogenous gonadotropin therapy to increase antral follicle production. In an effort to enhance ovarian response, several long-acting FSH therapies have been developed including an FSH-C-terminal peptide (CTP), where the FSH subunits are linked by the CTP moiety from human chorionic gonadotropin, which is responsible for the increased half-life of human chorionic gonadotropin. We found that administration of FSH-CTP for ovarian hyperstimulation in rats blunted ovarian follicle vascular development.