Comparisons of follicular levels of sex steroids, gonadotropins and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in poor responder and normoresponder patients undergoing ovarian stimulation with GnRH antagonist

The value of growth hormone supplements in ART for poor ovarian responders

“…Moreover, IGF-1 and IGF-2 receptors have been found in GCs where their action is modulated by a complex system of binding proteins (IGFBPs), which hampers the stimulating effect of FSH on IGF production. Although the exogenous administration of IGF-1 in monkeys had no adverse effect, similar elevation encountered in PCOS is seen as a key factor in altered oocyte maturation (24)(25)(26), possibly because of decreased IGFBP-1 (27).…”

Evaluation of the relationship between follicular fluid oxidative stress, ovarian hormones, and response to gonadotropin stimulation

“…Couples who had normal results for all the above investigations were classified into the unexplained-infertility group. To study the ovarian response, women were further separated on the basis of number of eggs collected: poor responders (<5 oocytes; n ¼ 11), normal responders (5-10 oocytes; n ¼ 57), and good responders (>10 oocytes; n ¼ 62) (21). The study was approved by the joint University College London-University College London Hospital Committees on the Ethics of Human Research (committee Alpha).…”

Role of decreased androgens in the ovarian response to stimulation in older women

“…The levels of follicular fluid IGF-I have been reported to be markedly lower in women with five or fewer follicles at least 14 mm in diameter (mean AE standard error: 42 AE 4.7 ng/mL, P< .001) compared with women who produced 10 or more (85.4 AE 7.8) (37). Both GH and IGF-I levels in follicular fluid were also observed to be statistically significantly lower in normal responding women under age 35 years who failed to establish an ongoing pregnancy via IVF (38).…”