Gonadotrophin

The term "gonadotrophin" isn't actually the name of a single medication, but rather a category of hormones. These hormones, produced naturally in the body by the pituitary gland, stimulate the gonads (testes in males and ovaries in females) to perform their reproductive functions.

There are three main types of gonadotropins:

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): This hormone plays a key role in egg development in females and sperm production in males. It stimulates the growth of follicles in ovaries and sperm maturation in testes.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH): LH triggers ovulation (egg release) in females and testosterone production in males. It works in conjunction with FSH to regulate the menstrual cycle and sperm production.
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): This hormone is only produced during pregnancy by the placenta. It mimics the function of LH and helps maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Medical applications of Gonadotropins:

Gonadotropins, particularly FSH and hCG, have several medical applications, primarily related to fertility treatments:

• Ovulation induction: In women with ovulation problems, FSH can stimulate egg follicle development, and hCG can be used to trigger ovulation.
• Sperm production: In men with low sperm count, FSH can be used to increase sperm production.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Gonadotropins are often used in IVF cycles to stimulate multiple egg follicle development, increasing the chances of successful fertilization.

Gonadotropins can also be used for diagnostic purposes to assess the function of the pituitary gland and gonads.

Important to know:

• Gonadotropin therapy should be administered and monitored by a doctor due to potential side effects like multiple births, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and hormonal imbalances.
• Synthetic versions of these hormones are available as medications and come in various forms like injections and nasal sprays.