Reproductive treatment Flashcards
What are the characteristics of PCOS?
1) Oligomenorrhoea
2) Hyperandrogenism (Hirsutism and acne)
3) Polycystic ovarian morphology (US scan)
Which aromatase inhibitor is used for ovulation induction?
Letrozole
How does Letrozole work?
Inhibition of aromatase activity, subsequently resulting in reduced oestradiol conversion from testosterone.
This reduces the negative feedback on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland, stimulating FSH and LH release.
What is clomiphene?
A oestradiol receptor antagonist
If there is a male factor of infertility how does IVF take place?
Intra-cytoplasmic injection of sperm (ICSI)
What two methods are used to prevent premature ovulation?
GnRH antagonist protocol (Short)
GnRH agonist protocol (Long protocol)
How do GnRH antagonists and agonists work?
GnRH is secreted in a pulsatile manner, stimulating the release of LH.
High dose continuous GnRH leads to a desensitisation of GnRH receptors and thus causing LH inhibition.
How do combined oral contraceptive pills work?
Anovulation
Progesterone causes the thickening of the cervical mucous, prevent sperm penetration, and thinning of the endometrial lining to reduce implantation.
Oestrogen causes negative feedback on GnRH release
What are the non-contraceptive benefits of using OCPs?
Help reduce LH and hyperandrogenism
Helps makes periods lighter and less painful (endometriosis or period pain or menorrhagia)
What are the three forms of long-acting reversible contraceptives?
1) Intra-uterine device (copper coil)
2) Intra-uterine system (IUS) which secretes progesterone (Mirena coil)
3) Progesterone-only injectable contraceptives or subdermal implants
What is the most effective emergency contraception?
Copper intrauterine device (IUD), most effective
What is levonelle, emergency contraceptive pill?
Synthetic progesterone prevents ovulation, must be taken within 3 days of unprotected intercourse
Which enzymes reduce the efficacy of contraceptive piill?
P450
What is the main treatment for hypogondotrophic hypogonadism?
Treat with Gonadotrophins (LH & FSH) to induce spermatogenesis.
Which cells are stimulated by LH?
Leydig cells to increase intratesticular testosterone
What is the effect of FSH?
Stimulates sertoli cells and induces seminiferous tubule development and spermatogenesis.
What treatment is prescribed to male patients with secondary hypogonadism?
Give HCG injections (which act on LH receptors)
Add FSH injections if there is no response in 6 months
What injections should be administer if there is no response to HCG injections within 6 months?
Add FSH injections
Why shouldn’t testosterone be prescribed to males desiring fertility?
There is a negative feedback effect which subsequently reduces LH and FSH release- further reducing spermatogenesis
Which receptors do HCG injections stimulate?
LH receptors on Leydig cells
What type of hypogonadism is Kallmann syndrome?
Congenital secondary hypogonadism
What is the relevance of FSH during mini-puberty in males?
Important for growing the pool of immature spermatogonia and germ cells
In patients with Kallmann syndrome, what is the recommended pretreatment?
2-4 months pretreatment with FSH before HCG injections
What testicular volume range is associated with a better prognosis in patients with Kallmann syndrome?
> 6ml
When should a serum testosterone level be conducted during the day?
At least 2 low measurements of serum testosterone before 11am
What is the treatment of a testosterone deficiency in a male not desiring fertility?
Testosterone replacement
- Daily gel (tostran)
- 3 weekly intramuscular injections (sustanon)
- 3 monthly intramuscular injections (Nebido)
What are the associated risks with testosterone replacement therapy?
- Increased haematocrit (risk of hypervicsosity and stroke) due to stimulation of EPO receptors
- Measure prostate specific antigen levels
What is the aim of ovulation induction?
Aim to develop one ovarian follicle, to increase FSH by a small amount
What are the risks for inducing more than one ovarian follicles?
Risk of multiple pregnancy - causes risks for mother and baby during pregnancy
What are the four methods used to restore ovulation in a patient with anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome?
1) Lifestyle/weight loss/ metformin
2) Letrozole (aromatase inhibitor)
3) Clomiphene (oestradiol receptor antagonist)
4) FSH stimulation
What is the mechanism of action of clomiphene (oestradiol receptor antagonist)?
Blocks estrogenic hypothalamic receptors, resulting in blinding of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis to endogenous circulating estrogen. This in turn triggers release of FSH from the anterior pituitary following alterations in GnRH pulsatility.
FSH therefore stimulates follicle growth
What are the four main stages of IVF treatment?
1) Oocyte retrieval
2) Fertilisation in vitro
3) Embryo incubation
4) Embryo transfer
What is the initial stage of IVF treatment?
FSH stimulation to induce superovulation prior to egg retrieval.
What is step 2 in IVF treatment?
Prevent premature ovulation by preventing premature LH surge
Which short protocol treatment is used to prevent premature ovulation?
GnRH antagonist between day 6-10, after FSH stimulation ,the antagonist inhibits GnRH receptors on gonadotrophs within the anterior pituitary gland, thereby preventing LH release.
GnRH agonists are used for which type of protocol treatment to prevent premature ovulation during IVF?
Long protocol, day -7 to day 10
What are the effects of non-pulsatile GnRH on LH release?
Continuous high dose removes pulsatile stimulation of gonadotrophs within the anterior pituitary gland, this desensitisation of GnRH receptors thus cause LH inhibition.
Upon egg retrieval which hormone is exposed to the eggs for maturation?
LH
What is the stage of meiosis reached by the secondary oocyte prior to sperm fertilisation?
Metaphase-II
Which hormone is used to trigger egg maturation?
hCG