Effect of growth hormone administration on human ovarian function and steroidogenic gene expression in granulosa-luteal cells.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of growth hormone (GH) in combination with an ultrashort-term gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue/human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) regimen in ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

DESIGN

Prospective randomized placebo-controlled study.

SETTING

University-based IVF program.

PATIENTS: Fifty-four normally cycling women (27 control and 27 GH-treated) participated in this study.

INTERVENTIONS: Human recombinant GH (24 IU)/placebo was given intramuscularly on alternate days starting on cycle day 4 until the day of last hMG injection.

RESULTS

Serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) concentrations were slightly lower in the GH group than in the placebo group on the day of hCG injection and 1 day thereafter (P < 0.01 to 0.001). Serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, testosterone (T), and sex hormone-binding globulin did not differ between the groups. The follicular fluid (FF) concentration of T was higher in the GH group than in the placebo group (15.9 +/- 6.0 nmol/L versus 10.2 +/- 4.9 nmol/L, P < 0.005), and no differences were observed in the FF concentrations of E2, P, and insulin-like growth factor I between the groups. In granulosa cells isolated from patients who received GH treatment, the levels of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and aromatase messenger ribonucleic acid were significantly higher than in the patients receiving placebo. The number of hMG ampules needed for follicular development and the number of follicles and oocytes recovered were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that GH administration modifies ovarian steroidogenic response to gonadotropins in IVF patients, suggesting a role for GH in the regulation of human ovarian function.