The role of growth hormone in assisted reproduction

Alexander M Quaas; Alan S Penzias; Eli Y Adashi

doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.1055097

The role of growth hormone in assisted reproduction

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Dec 2:13:1055097. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1055097. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Alexander M Quaas¹, Alan S Penzias^{2

3

4}, Eli Y Adashi⁵

Affiliations

¹ Division of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology (RME), University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
² Boston IVF, Waltham, MA, United States.
³ Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States.
⁴ Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
⁵ Department of Medical Science, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.

Abstract

In contemporary ART, the use of "add-ons" during ovarian stimulation has increased, especially in poor responders. Growth Hormone (GH) is an adjunctive therapy that has been studied extensively in the translational and clinical setting, with an ongoing scientific debate over its effectiveness and optimal use. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the physiologic basis for the use of GH in ART, and to summarize the latest evidence regarding its clinical use, primarily as an adjunct to ovarian stimulation, but also in the IVF lab and with regards to its effects on the endometrium.

Keywords: Assisted Reproductive Technology; add-ons; adjuvants in IVF; growth hormone; poor responders.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Female
Fertilization in Vitro
Growth Hormone*
Human Growth Hormone* / therapeutic use
Humans
Ovulation Induction
Reproduction

Substances

Growth Hormone
Human Growth Hormone