Is there a Need for Recombinant Human Luteinizing Hormone (Lutropin Alfa) Supplementation in Ovarian Stimulation for Assisted Reproduction?

Abstract

Luteinizing hormone is now available as the recombinant product, lutropin alfa for the treatment of female infertility. It is necessary in the natural process of follicular growth and maturation. It is not yet clear which patients really benefit from the addition of this medication to conventional gonadotropin stimulation procedures in infertility treatment. Certainly, it has a proven benefit in patients suffering from hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (WHO I). Others may be older patients, patients with a profound gonadotropin suppression stimulated in long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocols, or patients with poor ovarian response to conventional stimulation strategies. The available data are reviewed herein.