Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 11.9 Some notable non-gonadal tissues that express functional LH/hCG
receptors
Pregnancy/fertility related tissue
Other tissue
Uterus
Skin
Cervix
Blood vessels
Placenta
Adrenal cortex
Oviduct
Brain tissue
Foetal membranes
Prostate gland
Seminal vesicles
Bladder
Sperm cells
Monocytes
Breast
Macrophages
recombinant host systems, particularly mammalian cell lines. rhFSH produced in CHO cells has
proven clinically effective. Although exhibiting an amino acid sequence identical to the human
molecule, its carbohydrate composition differs slightly. When administered to humans, the prepa-
ration is well tolerated and yields no unexpected side effects. It does not elicit an immunological
response, and its plasma half-life is similar to the native hormone. rhFSH has proven effi cacious in
stimulating follicular growth in females suffering from hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and is
effective in the treatment of males suffering from similar conditions. rhFSH was amongst the fi rst
biopharmaceutical substances to be approved for general medical use in Europe by the European
Medicines Agency via the centralized application procedure (Chapter 4). Recombinant gonado-
trophins approved for general medical use are listed in Table 11.10 and additional details of one
representative product (Ovitrelle) are provided in Box 11.6.
11.6.3 Veterinary uses of gonadotrophins
Gonadotrophins may be utilized to treat subfertility in animals and are routinely used to induce a
superovulatory response in valuable animals, most notably valuable horses and cattle.
The theory and practice of superovulation is quite similar to the use of gonadotrophins to as-
sist in vitro fertilization procedures in humans. Exogenous FSH is administered to the animal
such that multiple follicles develop simultaneously. After administration of LH to help promote
ovulation, the animal is mated, thus fertilizing the released egg cells. Depending upon the specifi c
animal and the superovulatory regime employed, anything between 0 and 50 viable embryos may
be produced, although, more typically, the number is between 4 and 10. The embryos are then
Table 11.10 Recombinant gonadotrophins now approved for general medical use in
the EU and/or the USA
Product (tradename)
Company
Indication
Gonal F (rhFSH)
Serono
Anovulation and Superovulation
Puregon (rhFSH)
N.V. Organon
Anovulation and Superovulation
Follistim (rhFSH)
Organon
Some forms of infertility
Luveris (rhLH)
Ares-Serono
Some forms of infertility
Ovitrelle (rhCG)
Serono
Used in selected assisted reproductive
techniques
 
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