Ovulation induction with gonadotropins

Abstract

Gonadotropins have been available for clinical use for > 60 years for many conditions in the field of reproductive medicine. The article provides an overview of the pioneering work leading to the wide range of pharmaceutical gonadotropin preparations currently available. It underlines the major difference between ovulation induction intended to restore normal ovulation and promote monofollicular development in anovulatory patients and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation intended to induce a multi-follicular ovulation in infertile patients, often ovulatory, in order to increase their chance of conception. Different treatment regimens are addressed that are intended to avoid major side-effects, such as high-order multiple pregnancies and OHSS.