Ovulation induction using "pure" follicle-stimulating hormone in monkeys

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Primate Models
• Hormonal Therapies

Background:

• Previous studies showed "pure" follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) induces multiple follicular development in cycling monkeys.
• Spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) surges were infrequent in prior research, and ovulation induction was not attempted.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the induction of multiple follicular development and ovulation using "pure" FSH followed by hCG in normally cycling monkeys.
• To assess the effects of short-term "pure" FSH administration during the early or late follicular phase.

Main Methods:

• Daily follicular phase administration of "pure" FSH (urofollitropin) in normally cycling monkeys.
• Subsequent administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce ovulation.
• Monitoring of follicular development and LH surges.

Main Results:

• Daily "pure" FSH administration followed by hCG successfully induced multiple follicular development and ovulation.
• Short-term "pure" FSH treatment also led to multiple follicular development.
• Spontaneous LH surges and multiple ovulations were not observed, except for one instance of a single ovulation after late follicular phase FSH treatment.

Conclusions:

• "Pure" FSH administration can enhance the natural ovarian cycle to promote multiple follicular development.
• Ovulatory competence in this model is generally dependent on the exogenous administration of LH or hCG.