Follitropin is a human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) preparation of recombinant DNA origin, which consists of two non-covalently linked, non-identical glycoproteins designated as the alpha- and beta- subunits. The alpha- and beta- subunits have 92 and 111 amino acids. The alpha subunit is glycosylated at Asn 51 and Asn 78 while the beta subunit is glycosylated at Asn 7 and Asn 24. Follitropin beta is produced in genetically engineered Chinese hamster cell lines (CHO). The nomenclature “beta” differentiates it from another recombinant human FSH product that was marketed earlier as follitropin alpha. Follitropin is important in the development of follicles produced by the ovaries. Given by subcutaneous injection, it is used in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to assist in ovulation and fertility. Follitropin may also be used to cause the ovary to produce several follicles, which can then be harvested for use in gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Numerous physio-chemical tests and bioassays indicate that follitropin beta and follitropin alpha are indistinguishable. However, a more recent study showed there is may be a slight clinical difference, with the alpha form tending towards a higher pregnancy rate and the beta form tending towards a lower pregnancy rate, but with significantly higher estradiol (E2) levels. Structural analysis shows that the amino acid sequence of follitropin beta is identical to that of natural human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Further, the ogliosaccharide side chains are very similar, but not completely identical to that of natural FSH. However, these small differences do not affect the bioactivity compared to natural FSH.
In women having been diagnosed with primary ovarian failure, it is used in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to assist in ovulation and fertility. In men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, it is used to induce spermatogenesis. Follitropin may also be used to cause the ovary to produce several follicles, which can then be harvested for use in gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Ciconia, VivaNeo (there may be other sites in this country), Højbjerg, Denmark
Policlinico di Milano (there may be other sites in this country), Milan, Italy
Invicta Fertility Clinic Gdansk (there may be other sites in this country), Gdańsk, Poland
Erasmus Medisch Centrum (there may be other sites in this country), Rotterdam, Netherlands
IVI Middle East Fertilty Clinic, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Investigational Site 8121, Chiba-shi, Chiba, Japan
Yachiyo Hospital, Anjo, Aichi, Japan
Saint Women's Clinic, Saitama, Japan
UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Research Center for Genetics and Reproductive Health, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Zentrums für Reproduktions-medizin und Andrologie Universitätsklinikum Halle (Saale), Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
AziendaUSLModena, Modena, Italy
Department of Medical Pathophysiology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Lab of Seminology & Immunology of Reproduction, Rome, Italy
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