(endo) reproductive treatments Flashcards
what are the symptoms are testosterone deficiency?
- low libido
- loss of early morning erections
- decreased energy
- reduced frequency dhaving
how is testosterone deficiency diagnosed?
at least two low measurements of morning fasting testosterone (i.e. before 11am)
then investigate the cause
how is testosterone replaced in deficient patients who do not desire fertility?
first treat symptoms then replace testosterone with:
1) daily gel (careful not to cross-contaminate parter)
2) 3-weekly IM injection
3) 3-monthly IM injection
4) implants, oral preparations
what TWO safety considerations must be taken into account when replacing testosterone?
replacing testosterone will:
1) increase haematocrit (risk of hyperviscosity + stroke)
2) increase PSA levels (can stimulate growth of prostate cancers)
how is primary hypogonadism treated?
difficult to treat
how is secondary hypogonadism treated if fertility is desired?
(deficiency of gonadotrophins - i.e. hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism)
treat with gonadotrophins (i.e. LH + FSH) to induce spermatogenesis
why is secondary hypogonadism treated with gonadotrophins?
(when fertility is desired)
give LH = to stimulate Leydig cells to increase intratesticular testosterone
give FSH = to stimulate seminiferous tubule development and spermatogenesis
what treatment would you recommend in the following scenario?
35yr old man with hypogonadism due to opioid abuse
1) LH 3, FSH 5 iU/L
2) low morning testosterone 7 nmol/L (normal 9-30 nmol/L)
3) fatigue and reduced shaving frequency
4) trying to conceive with his partner for 2 years with no success
5) sperm sample: low sperm count ie ‘male factor’ infertility
opiates suppress GnRH (and therefore LH, FSH and T)
so, as patient desires fertility
1) do NOT give testosterone
2) give hCG injections (which will act on LH receptors)
3) if no response to hCG injections after 6 months, give FSH injections
for a male patient with hypogonadism that desires fertility, why is testosterone NOT given?
giving T will via the negative feedback system, reduce LH + FSH further
= further reducing spermatogenesis, leading to infertility
for a male patient with hypogonadism that desires fertility, why are hCG injections given?
1) the hCG injections will act on the LH receptors to stimulate Leydig cells to produce androgens
2) if no response after 6 months, add FSH injections (to stimulate Sertoli cells)
what is the diagnosis in the following scenario?
- 30 year old woman
- unsuccessfully trying to conceive for 3 years
- lack of periods (amenorrhoea)
- hyperandrogenism (hirsutism and acne)
- ultrasound scan = polycystic ovarian (PCO) morphology
- LH 8.0 iU/L, FSH 4.5 iU/L
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
what are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
1) hyperandrogenism (clinical/biochemical)
2) PCO morphology (on ultrasound)
3) oligomenorrhoea OR anovulation
what are the possible causes of hypothalamic amenorrhoea?
1) low body weight (BMI)
2) excessive exercise
3) stress
4) genetic susceptibilty
what is the most common cause of irregular periods/infertility?
PCOS
what is the purpose of ovulation induction in women experiencing infertility?
- aim to develop one ovarian follicle by giving a low dose of FSH (injections)
why is a LOW dose of FSH given to women experiencing infertility during ovulation induction?
low dose to ensure only one follicle develops as
= > 1 follicle developing risks a multiple pregnancy = risks for mother + baby
- PCOS is the commonest cause of anovulation -
in this scenario, how is ovulation restored?
1) lifestyle changes, weight loss, metformin
2) letrozole (aromatase inhibitor)
3) clomiphine (oestradiol receptor modulator)
4) FSH stimulation
what is letrozole?
first line medication to treat anovulation/infertility in women
= aromatase inhibitor
what is clomiphine?
medication to treat anovulation/infertility in women (second line after letrozole)
= oestradiol receptor modulator
why are FSH injections given to women experiencing infertility?
to stimulate the development of one follicle
explain the mechanism of action of letrozole
aromatase inhibitor
1) inhibits aromatase and so prevents the conversion or testosterone to oestradiol
2) less oestradiol results in less negative feedback to the hypothalamus + APG
3) less negative feedbakc stimulates more hypothalamic GnRH secretion and more pituitary LH/FSH secretion
4) results in more systemic LH + FSH = follicular development for ovulation
what effect does oestradiol normally have on the HPG axis?
via negative feedback, reduces hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary LH/FSH secretion
explain the mechanism of action of clomiphine
oestradiol receptor modulator
1) binds to the oestradiol receptor and antagonises it
2) blocks the oestradiol receptor and so less oestradiol activates the negative feedback system
3) decreased negative feedback causes increased hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary LH/FSH secretion
4) increased systemic FSH causes follicular development for ovulation
summarise the steps of IVF
IVF = in vitro fertilisation
1) give a large dose of FSH to stimulate many follicles to grow
2) oocyte retrieval from ovary
3) fertilisation in vitro = either IVF or ICSI
4) embryo incubation
5) embryo transfer (of strongest embryo and wait for implantation)
when is ICSI used over IVF?
in cases of male factor infertility
- low sperm count
- abnormally-shaped sperm
- low sperm motility
what essential step must be done prior to oocyte retrieval in IVF?
must give a large, pharmacological dose of FSH
= to stimulate multiple follicles to grow (i.e. superovulation)
what must be done following administration of the FSH injection in IVF?
after FSH injection-induced superovulation, must give a hormone that prevents the LH surge
= to prevent ovulation from actually taking place
why is the premature ovulation prevented in IVF?
give hormone to prevent the LH surge that stimulates ovulation
= so the oocyte is not lost from the follicle when it is retrieved
what are two possible ways by which premature ovulation is prevented in IVF?
prevent the LH surge either by
1) SHORT protocol (GnRH antagonist)
2) LONG protocol (GnRH agonist)
what is the GnRH SHORT protocol?
give a GnRH antagonist
= inhibits GnRH secretion and therefore LH/FSH secretion, preventing the LH surge
- start FSH from day 2. give GnRH antagonist from day 6
what is the GnRH LONG protocol?
give a GnRH agonist
= inhibits GnRH secretion and therefore LH/FSH secretion, preventing the LH surge
- give GnRH agonist from before the end of the last cycle and then FSH from day 2 of next cycle
compare how the SHORT protocol compares to the LONG protocol to prevent premature ovulation
1) SHORT = give FSH from day 2 and GnRH antagonist from day 6
2) LONG = give GnRH agonist from end of last cycle and then FSH from day 2 of next cycle
explain how the GnRH SHORT protocol works
give a GnRH antagonist
= inhibits GnRH secretion
= inhibits LH/FSH secretion
= prevents LH surge
explain how the GnRH LONG protocol works
give a GnRH agonist
= continuous administration of GnRH desensitises the GnRH receptor
= so excess GnRH inhibits LH secretion from gonadotrophs
what is the function of the GnRH receptor and where is it found?
found on the surface membrane of gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland
= GnRH binds to the GnRH receptors and stimulates gonadotrophin secretion
why is continuous administration of GnRH agonist an effective step in IVF?
continuous administration of GnRH agonist
= act on the the GnRH receptors, desensitising them eventually
= inhibiting LH (and FSH) secretion
= preventing LH surge, and therefore premature ovulation
what is the difference between pulsatile and non-pulsatile GnRH administration in IVF?
pulsatile = normal LH stimulation
non-pulsatile (i.e. continuous) = initial LH flare as receptors are stimulated, but eventually they become desensitised (so inhibit LH secretion)
when is pulsatile GnRH administration used as treatment?
in hypothalamic amenorrhoea
= to restore hypothalamic (HPG) axis and normal LH/FSH levels
what is done after preventing premature ovulation in IVF?
next step = LH exposure to mature eggs (oocyte maturation)
why is oocyte maturation an important step of IVF?
need mature oocytes so they can be fertilised (!!)
- after preventing premature ovulation, need the oocyte to mature from metaphase 1 (diploid) TO metaphase 2 (haploid)
= maturation requires LH exposure
what are two ways in which oocyte maturation can take place in IVF?
1) hCG is normally given that acts on the LH receptors
= acts as an LH surge
= to induce oocyte maturation
2) GnRH agonist (in a pulsatile manner) can also be given to initially stimulate LH surge
how are oocytes converted from immature ones to mature ones in IVF?
immature oocytes = metaphase 1 (diploid)
LH exposure via GnRHa OR hCG
mature oocytes = metaphase 2 (haploidi)
why do oocytes need to be mature in IVF?
after maturation, achieve competence for fertilisation
= i.e. have half the genetic information (haploid) so can NOW, receive the other half of genetic material from the sperm
what three steps must be taken before oocyte retrieval in IVF?
1) FSH administration for superovulation
2) prevention of premature ovulation
3) LH exposure to mature oocytes
what steps follow oocyte retrieval in IVF?
1) oocyte retrieval
2) fertilisation
3) embryo incubation (3-5 days)
4) embryo transfer
5) pregnancy test/US scan