Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
06:40
Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
Published on: October 24, 2025
Follitropin alpha in infertility: a review
1Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
Summary
Follitropin alpha, a recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), offers advantages over urine-derived FSH for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). It provides consistent supply, purity, and ease of self-administration, with comparable or superior follicular stimulation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Biotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Follitropin alpha is a recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
- Unlike urine-derived FSH products (menotropins, urofollitropin), it offers batch-to-batch consistency and is free from LH activity and urinary proteins.
- It can be self-administered subcutaneously.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of follitropin alpha compared to urine-derived FSH products.
- To assess its role in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and ovulation induction.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of follitropin alpha with urine-derived FSH products in women undergoing IVF-ET and ovulation induction.
- Assessment of follicular development, oocyte yield, pregnancy rates, and tolerability.
- Evaluation of different dosing regimens, including a long-term low-dose approach.
Main Results:
- Follitropin alpha demonstrated a greater stimulatory effect on follicular development in IVF-ET compared to urine-derived FSH products as a group.
- It produced more oocytes per cycle than highly purified urofollitropin and menotropins.
- Efficacy in ovulation induction for WHO group II anovulation was similar to older products.
- Tolerability was comparable, with similar incidence of adverse events and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Conclusions:
- Follitropin alpha offers significant advantages in supply reliability, consistency, purity, and ease of administration over urine-derived FSH.
- It shows enhanced follicular development in IVF-ET and comparable efficacy in ovulation induction.
- Recombinant FSH products like follitropin alpha are poised to become the standard of care, replacing older urine-derived preparations.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Infertility in Males
Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
01:28Infertility in Females
Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
01:38Fertilization
During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...