Growth hormone treatment in infertility: a short review

In cultured animal granulosa cells, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone (GH) have been shown to have a functional role. With the recent availability of recombinant GH, clinical studies have followed using GH in ovulation induction in patients resistant to stimulation by gonadotrophins alone. So far, patient numbers have been small in the studies conducted but the results suggest that GH may improve ovulation induction and reduce gonadotrophins requirement. However, patients with GH deficiency are not infertile. Thus the evidence suggests that the role of GH treatment in infertility is probably facilitative and not obligatory.