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).
IVF Zentrum, Saar, Germany
Endokrinologikum Ulm, Ulm, Germany
Fertility Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Privatspital Goldenes Kreuz, Wien, Austria
IVF Zentrum Döbling, Vienna, Austria
University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States
Women & Infants' Hospital of RI, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado, Littleton, Colorado, United States
A Woman's Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Huntington Reproductive Center, Pasadena, California, United States
Women's Medical Research Group, LLC, Clearwater, Florida, United States
University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Genesis Fertility Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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