Outcomes of Ovulation Induction Aimed to Pregnancy in Eight Hypopituitarism Patients

Background: Female sex hormones work in concert. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and ovulation-inducing agents are required in female patients with infertility owing to hormone dysregulation. Although drug-induced follicular development can be expected in patients with endogenous female hormone deficiency, data are lacking on the protocols and drugs used.

Methods: We retrospectively examined the success rates of ovulation induction, assisted reproductive technology, and pregnancy outcomes in 66 cycles of eight patients with pituitary insufficiency at our hospital.

Results: Ovulation occurred in 75.4% (49/66); 82.6% (38/46) of patients <40 years and 57.9% (11/19) of patients ≥40 years of age. Five of the eight patients became pregnant, and three delivered babies. The fertilization rate was 78% with in vitro fertilization, and the recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone usage was 3,717.1 ± 1,528.9 International Unit in hypopituitarism patients.

Conclusion: Hypopituitarism patients can achieve ovulation, pregnancy, and delivery after optimal gonadotropin administration. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of gonadotropins on other pituitary hormones, such as growth hormones.