The value of human growth hormone as an adjuvant for ovarian stimulation in a human in vitro fertilization program

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the combined treatment of growth hormone (GH) and gonadotropins can improve ovulation stimulation in previously poor responders. Twelve patients who, had suboptimal responses in previous in vitro fertilization cycle were enrolled. They underwent 1 cycle with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-a) and gonadotropins and another cycle with GnRH-a, gonadotropins, and GH. Serum gonadotropins, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and sex steroids, including estradiol (E ₂ ), progesterone (P ₄ ), testosterone, and androstenedione were measured on Day 2 and during ovulation induction. The serum IGF-1 level was higher in the GH cycle. There were no significant differences in the levels of the serum luteinizing hormone, E ₂ , P ₄ , testosterone, and androstenedione between the 2 cycles, so was IGF-1, E ₂ and P ₄ in follicular fluid. Co-treatment with GH did not improve the ovarian response. However, the GH cycles had better performance in terms of the number of oocytes fertilized and the pregnancy rate.