Endocrine Abstracts

Background: During IVF treatment, a pharmacological dose of recombinant FSH (rFSH) is used to induce multi-follicular growth (controlled ovarian stimulation; COS). An insufficient dose of rFSH negatively impacts the number of oocytes retrieved, whereas an excessive dose risks the potentially life-threatening complication ‘ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome’. Hence, appropriate rFSH dosing is regarded as a key treatment decision affecting both the success and safety of...

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea (FHA) are the two commonest causes of menstrual disturbance in pre-menopausal women. In practice, differentiating these two common reproductive disorders can be challenging. A fundamental abnormality that underpins both conditions is altered gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatility, being increased in PCOS but reduced in FHA. Likewise, congenital (e.g. congenital hypogonadotropic hyp...