Clinical use of colony-stimulating factor-1 in ovulation induction for poor responders

Use of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor for the Treatment of Thin Endometrium in Experimental Rats

“…It improves embryo implantation [4]–[8], affects human decidual macrophages [9], ovulation [10], ovarian function [11], and granulose cell function [12], improves ovarian response to Gn in poor responders [13], reduces unexplained repeated pregnancy loss [7], [14], plays a role in the early endometriotic lesions [15], and suppresses autoimmunity [16]. Additionally, G-CSF, as a biomarker for implantation potential of oocyte/embryo [17], can predict the outcome of IVF [18].…”

Therapeutic applications of macrophage colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) and antagonists of CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) signaling

“…6,21 Building on the evidence of the role of CSF-1 in reproduction and pregnancy mentioned above, and initial data on rats, 99 Nishimura et al found a correlation between elevated CSF-1 in the serum and successful ovulation induction in an in vitro fertilization program. 100 They subsequently reported that coadministration of CSF-1 with gonadotrophins could increase the numbers of oocytes, fertilized eggs, and transferred embryos 101 The pro-repair phenotype noted in "Effects of CSF-1 in vitro" includes the expression of numerous growth factors for other cells (eg, IGF-1, PDGFB, and VEGFA), endocytic receptors (eg, macrophage scavenger receptors), and proteolytic enzymes in addition to urokinase plasminogen activator. 6,19-21 CSF-1 probably contributes to the local macrophage proliferation that is one hallmark of Th2-driven inflammation, 102 especially because mouse inflammatory macrophages recruited by a sterile stimulus can be autocrine for CSF-1.…”

Macrophages and CSF-1

“…129,130 Moreover, CSF-1 has been therapeutically administered as an adjunct therapy during hormonal ovarian hyperstimulation therapy. 131 Patients with documented unsuccessful responsiveness in previous hyperstimulation cycles were recruited, and CSF-1 treatment was shown to improve follicular development leading to increased numbers of mature oocytes retrieved for subsequent IVF. Concomitant CSF-1 treatment was particularly impressive in patients with low serum CSF-1 levels, and a 40% successful pregnancy rate among these 27 patients was reported.…”