What are gonadotropins and how do they work?
Gonadotropins (FSH and LH) are natural hormones that induce the development of multiple eggs. Their use is generally safe but requires experience and close monitoring. In the natural cycle, without any medications, a woman ovulates one or two eggs under the influence of her own gonadotropins. The eggs are contained in fluid-filled sacs called follicles. The recruitment, maturation, and release of the eggs from these follicles is influenced by the sequential release of two hormones: Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), both of which are secreted by the pituitary gland. When a woman becomes menopausal, her pituitary gland secretes large amounts of these hormones in an attempt to stimulate the ovaries that no longer function. The older gonadotropin preparations (Pergonal and Repronex) are manufactured by extracting these hormones from the urine of post-menopausal women, carefully purifying the material and placing the freeze-dried extract in sterile glass cont
