hCG-treated Group Research Articles

Therapeutic benefits of central LH receptor agonism in the APP/PS1 AD model involve trophic and immune regulation and are reproductive status dependent

The mechanisms that underly reproductive hormone effects on cognition, neuronal plasticity, and AD risk, particularly in relation to gonadotropin LH receptor (LHCGR) signaling, remain poorly understood. To address this gap in knowledge and clarify the impact of circulating steroid hormones on the therapeutic effects of CNS LHCGR activation, we delivered the LHCGR agonist human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) intracerebroventricularly (ICV) and evaluated functional, structural, plasticity-related signaling cascades, Aβ pathology, and transcriptome differences in reproductively intact and ovariectomized (OVX) APP/PS1 AD female mice. Here we demonstrate that CNS hCG delivery restored function to wild-type levels only in OVX APP/PS1 mice. Spine density was increased in all hCG treated groups independently of reproductive status. Notably, increases in BDNF signaling and cognition, were selectively upregulated only in the OVX hCG-treated group. RNA sequencing analyses identified a significant increase in peripheral myeloid and pro-inflammatory genes within the hippocampi of the OVX group that were completely reversed by hCG treatment, identifying a potential mechanism underlying the selective therapeutic effect of LHCGR activation. Interestingly, in intact mice, hCG administration mimicked the effects of gonadectomy. Together, our findings indicate that CNS LHCGR agonism in the post-menopausal context is beneficial through trophic and immune mechanisms. Our findings also underscore the presence of a steroid-LHCGR mechanistic interaction that is unexplored yet potentially meaningful to fully understand “post-menopausal” brain function and CNS hormone treatment response.

Effect of hCG administration on ovulation and estrus in Saanen goats subjected to short-term estrus synchronization protocol during the breeding season

This study aimed to compare the effect of hCG administered at 24 or 36 h following a short-term estrus synchronization treatment on the ovulation time and estrus parameters in non-lactating Saanen goats during the breeding season. The estrous cycles of does were synchronized with an intravaginal sponge containing 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) for six days, and an injection of 125 µg of d-cloprostenol at the time of sponge insertion in addition to an injection of 300 IU of eCG 24h before sponge removal. After removal of the sponges, does were injected intramuscularly either 1 ml physiological saline (0.9% NaCl) solution after 12 h (Group1/Control; n=10), 100 IU hCG after 24 h (Group2; n=9) or 100 IU hCG after 36 h (Group3; n=9). Estrus behavior after sponge removal was observed twice daily for 84 h using teaser bucks and transrectal ovarian ultrasonography was performed twice a day for seven days to determine small, medium and large follicle numbers, luteal development and the time of ovulation. Blood samples were collected on the same days to determine serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) concentrations. No significant differences were observed in terms of estrus parameters, ovarian structure and serum P4 and E2 concentrations between the hCG-treated groups and the control group. Average values observed for all groups: estrous response (53.57%), the interval from sponge removal to estrus and ovulation (35.2 h and 67.86 h, respectively), duration of estrus (18.4 h), the interval from estrus onset to ovulation (50.37 h), ovulation rate (96.43%), number of ovulations (1.36), ovulatory follicle diameter (6.86 mm), corpus luteum diameter (8.22 mm), follicle and luteal growth rate (1.17 and 0.68 mm/day, respectively). In conclusion, administration of hCG at 24 or 36 h following a short-term estrous synchronization protocol does not affect ovulation time, estrus parameters, and serum P4 and E2 concentrations in goats during the breeding season.

Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin treatment on the duration of oxytocin-induced prolonged corpus luteum function in mares

Oxytocin is used increasingly in mares to prolong corpus luteum (CL) function to suppress estrus. When mares develop prolonged CL function in response to oxytocin treatment, the CL generally remains functional for 60–90 days. However, a longer duration of CL function can make this method of estrus suppression even more clinically useful. We hypothesized that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment during the period of oxytocin-induced prolonged CL function would extend the duration of CL function (i.e. beyond 90 days). Prolonged CL function was induced in mares (n = 14) by treating them with 60 units of intramuscular oxytocin once daily on days 7–14 after ovulation. Mares were then randomly assigned equally to a control group that received no additional treatment and an hCG-treated group that received 2,500 units of intramuscular hCG on days 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 after ovulation. Jugular blood samples were collected for progesterone concentration determination on the day of ovulation and then 3 times (M, W, and F) weekly for 120 days. Duration of CL function was not different (p > 0.05) and it was 78.0 ± 7.5 and 91.4 ± 20.4 days (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) in control and hCG-treated mares, respectively. Therefore, hCG treatment (during the period of oxytocin-induced prolonged CL function) did not extend CL function, hence alternative methods should be explored.

Clinical outcome of intrauterine administration of peripheral mononuclear cells or human chorionic gonadotropin in unexplained implantation failure.

Intrauterine administration of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has been proposed to facilitate embryo implantation, while its effect on clinical outcome of women with previous implantation failure (RIF) in frozen/thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles is still unclear. A total 523 patients having not experienced successful clinical pregnancy were enrolled in our study, including 207 repeat implantation failure (RIF) patients, and 316 patients with previous implantation failures but failed to meet the diagnostic criteria for RIF (non-RIF). Autologous PBMCs were cultured with hCG for 4h in the hCG-activated PBMC-treated group (n=73 in RIF patients, n=112 in non-RIF patients), and then intrauterine administered 2 days before FET. In the hCG-treated group (n=67 in RIF patients, n=100 in non-RIF patients), recombinant hCG was administered 2 days before FET. The control group (n=67 in RIF patients, n=104 in non-RIF patients) underwent FET without intrauterine administration. In RIF patients, the clinical pregnancy rate of the above three groups are 56.16%, 53.73%, and 43.28%, respectively (p=.276). The implantation rate and live birth rate showed no significant differences (p>.05). For non-RIF patients, higher clinical pregnancy rate was also seen in PBMC intrauterine group (57.15%) and hCG intrauterine group (58.00%) than controls (50.96%) but without statistical significance. There were no significant differences of implantation rate and live birth rate (p>.05). Intrauterine administration of hCG-activated PBMC and hCG did not improve clinical outcomes for both RIF and non-RIF patients before FET embryo transfer.

P–273 Effects of ovulation induction with GnRH Agonist (GnRHa) on oocyte and embryo quality at the mitochondrial level: A retrospective and experimental study

Abstract Study question Does the GnRHa trigger improve oocyte and embryo quality in patients younger than 40, and do mtUPPR have a role? Summary answer GnRHa trigger improves oocyte nuclear/cytoplasmic maturation, blastocyst utilization and downregulates HSP60 levels and upregulates ATF5 levels compared to hCG trigger. GnRHa trigger suppresses mitochondrial stress. What is known already hCG has been used for decades to achieve final oocyte maturation and, thereby, correct oocyte retrieval timing in connection with ovarian hyperstimulation protocols. As an alternative to hCG, a GnRH agonist has been used to trigger the endogenous release of LH (and FSH) in a fashion resembling the mid-cycle surge of gonadotrophins. GnRHa is as effective as hCG for the induction of ovulation. It has been very well known that the GnRHa trigger improves oocyte nuclear maturation, embryo quality, and implantation rate, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Study design, size, duration 3054 women younger than 40; oocytes retrieved more than 10 (up to 20) analyzed. Male infertility was excluded. Ovulation triggered either by hCG (n = 1368) or GnRHa (1668). Female mice were divided into three groups as control, hCG-treated and GnRHa-treated group. Superovulation was performed by FSH + hCG or GnRHa. Oocytes were collected 13 hours after hCG/GnRHa injection. ATF5, BiP, and HSP60 levels were analyzed by Western blot. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test. Participants/materials, setting, methods This study has two parts. i) RCT and ii) Experimental. In the experimental part, three months old female BALB/C mice (25–30 g) were used and divided into three groups (n = 20/group) as control, hCG-treated and GnRHa-treated group. Superovulation was performed by administering an injection of 5 IU FSH (i.p.) and hCG (i.p.) or GnRHa (20 mg/kg) i.m. Oocytes were collected 13 hours after hCG/GnRHa injection. ATF5, BiP, and HSP60 levels were analyzed by Western blot. Main results and the role of chance The mean age (34.8 vs. 35.2 years), total gonadotropin dose (2176 vs. 2230 IU), and the number of oocytes picked up (14.9 vs. 13.4) were not statistically different among GnRHa and hCG group, respectively. No LH rise or any OHSS was noticed in any groups. Oocyte maturation (79.8% vs. 75.9%), oocyte diameter (as a marker of cytoplasmic maturity) (10198 µm2 and 9474 µm2), fertilization rate (78% vs. 72%), and embryo utilization rate (52% vs. 47.2%) were significantly higher in GnRHa group compared to hCG group, respectively. HSP60 level (activated by mtUPR) was statistically higher in the hCG group compared to the GnRHa group (55% vs. 22%, p < 0.05 respectively). On the other hand, the ATF5 level was significantly higher in the GnRHa group than the hCG group (p < 0.0001). Limitations, reasons for caution The limitation is that this is a proof-of-concept study to reveal the mechanism of good embryo quality with GnRHa trigger. Wider implications of the findings: This application offers convenience and simplifies the IVF protocol with a better oocyte and embryo quality while reducing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) risk during IVF care Trial registration number Not applicable

Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and TGFβ superfamily members in follicular cells of prepubertal gilts with distinct endocrine profiles.

Regulation of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily by gonadotrophins in swine follicular cells is not fully understood. This study evaluated the expression of steroidogenic enzymes and members of the TGFβ superfamily in prepubertal gilts allocated to three treatments: 1200 IU eCG at D -3 (eCG); 1200 IU eCG at D -6 plus 500 IU hCG at D -3 (eCG + hCG); and the control, composed of untreated gilts. Blood samples and ovaries were collected at slaughter (D0) and follicular cells were recovered thereafter. Relative gene expression was determined by real-time PCR. Serum progesterone levels were greater in the eCG + hCG group compared with the other groups (P < 0.01). No differences were observed in the expression of BMP15, BMPR1A, BMPR2, FSHR, GDF9, LHCGR and TGFBR1 (P > 0.05). Gilts from the eCG group presented numerically greater mean expression of CYP11A1 mRNA than in the control group that approached statistical significance (P = 0.08) and greater expression of CYP19A1 than in both the eCG and the control groups (P < 0.05). Expression of BMPR1B was lower in the eCG + hCG treatment group compared with the control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, eCG treatment increased the relative expression of steroidogenic enzymes, whereas treatment with eCG + hCG increased serum progesterone levels. Although most of the evaluated TGFβ members were not regulated after gonadotrophin treatment, the downregulation of BMPR1B observed after treatment with eCG + hCG and suggests a role in luteinization regulation.

Study the Suppression of Preterm Labor Using Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormone Compared with Magnesium Sulphate

Preterm labor is known as delivery prior to 37 completed weeks of gestation. Because 10% of total labors are preterm and 70% of neonatal mortality is caused by this problem, preterm labor is a significant problem in obstetrics, pediatrics &amp; midwifery. This study aims at comparing the efficacy as well as adverse effects profile of (human chorionic gonadotropin hormone and magnesium sulphate) in suppression of preterm labor. This study was designed as a prospective comparative randomized clinical trial done from 4th April to 1st September 2020. The study population included pregnant women with preterm labor, who were admitted to Salah Al Din General Hospital, in Tikrit city. Sixty two cases who consented (Informed written consent was obtained from all the patients) were randomly allocated to 2 different intervention groups, named A and B. Group A and B consisted of 30 and 32 pregnant women, respectively. All cases were admitted in labour room and baseline investigations were done. Group A: For patients of group A: received an intravenously loading dose of 4 g (1 g/min) Magnesium sulphate. A continual infusion of 2 g per 1 hr was then administrated. The infusion was continued until 12 h of uterine quiescence is done. Group B: (32 women), intramuscular injection Human Chorionic Gonadotropin was administered as an initial dose of 5000 IU. Half hourly assessment of uterine contractions, maternal vital signs, fetal heart rate monitoring was done. All of the patients were under monitoring in the hospital until 24 h of the end of drug infusion. Also, both of the groups received Betamethasone, 12 mg every 24 hr for 2 doses. Patients were under control until the end of pregnancy. It was foun that Delay of Labour for ≥21 day was higher among Human Chorionic Gonadotropin group (68.8%) than among MgSO4 group (60%), and delivery within &lt;2 days was higher among HCG group (9.4%) than among MgSO4 group (6.7%). The mean duration in hours from time of start of treatment with Magnesium sulphate to the contraction suppression was (2.9±0.08) lower than of the HCG treatment group (3.11±0.13). The commonest side effect of MgSO4 was thirst (50%), hyperthermia (46.67), and head ache (30%), dizziness (30%), while there is no side effect among HCG group except single case complained of head ache (3.13%), It was concluded that magnesium sulphate is better than Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in stopping preterm labour with faster onset of action than Human Chorionic Gonadotropin but had side effects for mothers more than Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.

Administration of a single dose of 300 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin seven days after the onset of estrus improves pregnancy rate in dairy goats by an unknown mechanism

This study examined the effects of exogenous hCG administration on ovarian function and pregnancy rates in estrous-induced dairy goats during the transition into the breeding season. Eighty-six Toggenburg does received 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate intravaginal sponge for 6 d plus 200 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin and 30 μg of d-cloprostenol i.m. 24 h before sponge removal, and were then bred for 96 h. Seven days (D7) after first mating the does received either 1 mL of saline (the control group, n = 43) or 300 IU of hCG (the hCG-treated group, n = 43) i.m. Transrectal ovarian ultrasonography (B-mode and color Doppler) was performed on D7, D13, D17, and D21 and ultrasonographic pregnancy detection on D30. Pregnancy rate was higher (P < 0.05) in hCG-treated goats (90.7%; 39/43) than that in control animals (74.4%; 32/43). Accessory luteal structures (ALSs) were detected in 46.5% (20/43) of hCG-treated does. All hCG-treated does that had ALSs and 82.6% of goats without ALS post-treatment remained pregnant. The total luteal area increased (P < 0.05) from D7 to D13 in pregnant animals of both groups, whereas mean vascular area declined (P < 0.05) by D21 in all nonpregnant does. Serum progesterone concentrations increased (P < 0.05) on D21 in pregnant goats of both groups, but they were related to changes in luteal tissue content only in control does throughout the present study. Mean daily numbers of small- and medium-sized antral follicles decreased (P < 0.05) only in pregnant animals of both groups with a decline in medium follicle numbers occurring earlier in hCG-treated (D13) compared with control does (D17). To summarize, a single dose of hCG given on D7 after estrus was followed by a decrease in the number of medium-sized antral follicles in gestating hCG-treated does, induced the formation of ALSs in ~47% of all hCG-treated does, and significantly increased the pregnancy rate in estrous-induced Toggenburg goats in the transition to the breeding season.

Role of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin and clinical parameters on testicular sperm recovery with microdissection testicular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes in 184 Klinefelter syndrome patients

To investigate whether preoperative human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment can help predict the outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) and affect fertility outcomes in non-mosaic Klinefelter syndrome (KS) patients. Retrospective cohort study. University-affiliated fertility center. A total of 184 non-mosaic KS patients who underwent micro-TESE with or without preoperative hCG treatment from January 2016 to July2019. None. Sperm retrieval rate (SRR) with and without hCG treatment, logistic models analysis. Eighty KS patients (43.5%) had successful sperm retrievals after micro-TESE. There was no statistically significant difference in the SRR between the group who received hCG treatment and the group that did not (44.0% vs. 43.3%). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the hCG treatment had no statistically significant effect on successful sperm retrieval. However, higher preoperative testosterone (T) levels seemed to be associated with a higher probability of successful sperm retrieval (multivariate adjusted odds ratio 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.16). The prediction model for SRR on KS patients had an area under the curve of 67.3% (95% CI, 59.3-75.3%). In the hCG treatment group, the data indicated that the three parameters of testicular volume, pretreatment T level, and alterations of T were associated with the probability of successful sperm retrieval. Moreover, hCG therapy did not affect intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. No differences in the pregnancy rate or live-birth rate were observed between the two groups. Therapy with hCG does not affect SRR or ICSI outcomes of non-mosaic KS patients. However, preoperative T levels, whether treated with hCG or not, can predict the chance of sperm retrieval with micro-TESE.

Influence of ipsilateral coexistence of the first wave dominant follicle and corpus luteum on ovarian dynamics and plasma sex steroid hormone concentrations in lactating dairy cows treated with human chorionic gonadotropin.

We examined the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment 5 days after estrus on ovarian dynamics and plasma progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) concentrations when the first-wave dominant follicle (DF) was ipsilateral or contralateral to the corpus luteum (CL) in lactating dairy cows. Seventy cows were divided into two groups: (1) ipsilateral group (IG; n = 37), in which the first-wave DF was ipsilateral to the CL, and (2) contralateral group (CG; n = 33), in which the first-wave DF was contralateral to the CL. IG and CG were further subdivided into two groups: non-treatment group (IG, n = 18; CG, n = 19), and hCG treatment group: administrated 1500 IU of hCG 5 days after estrus (IG, n = 19; CG, n = 14). Blood sampling and ovarian examination were performed at 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 days after estrus. Mean diameter of the first-wave DF on Day 9 tended (P = 0.067) to be larger in IG than in CG in the non-treatment group. Mean diameter of CL and plasma P4 and E2 concentrations did not differ between IG and CG in the non-treatment and hCG treatment groups. Accessory CL development did not differ between IG and CG in the hCG treatment group. Our findings indicate that CL development and plasma P4 and E2 concentrations were not affected by the existence of the first-wave DF; however, first-wave DF development was affected by the existence of a CL in the same ovary.

Ранние стероидогенные эффекты гонадотропина и низкомолекулярного агониста рецептора лютеинизирующего гормона при введении их субмаксимальных доз самцам крыс

The receptors of luteinizing hormone (LH) play a key role in the regulation of testicular steroidogenesis. They can be activated by gonadotropins, LH and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and by the low-molecular-weight agonists, including the derivatives of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines, which bind to an allosteric site located in the transmembrane channel of LH receptor. The differences in the steroidogenic effects of gonadotropins and thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines in the in vitro experiments and in a long-term administration to male rats were previously identified, but their early steroidogenic effects in the testes when administered at submaximal doses, have not been studied . The aim of the work was to study the effect of a single administration of hCG and TP03, a thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative, in submaximal doses on testosterone (T) plasma levels and on the expression of steroidogenic protein genes of, as well as the pattern of steroid hormones, the precursors of T, in the testes for 5 hours after the treatment of male rats. We demonstrate that TP03 (15 mg/kg) and hCG (50 IU/rat) 30 minutes after their administration to rats cause an increase in the intratesticular levels of T and its precursors, such as 17-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione, and also reduce the level of pregnenolone, which indicates its expenditure for progesterone synthesis. The gene expression of steroidogenic proteins significantly changed 3 hours after drug administration. The administration of TP03 and hCG led to an increase in the expression of the Star and Cyp17a1 genes encoding the transport protein StAR and the cytochrome P450-17α, the key components of the steroidogenesis system. At the same time, the difference between the expressions of the Hsd17b gene encoding the dehydrogenase HSD17β, which were higher in the hCG-treated group as compared to the TP03-treated group, is shown. An increase in the plasma T levels one and three hours after treatment of rats with hCG was higher than in the TP03-treated group, but after 5 hours the T levels in both groups of rats were comparable, which was due to the weakening of the steroidogenic effect of hCG while maintaining the corresponding effect of TP03. Thus, despite the similarity of the early steroidogenic effects of TP03 and hCG used at the submaximal doses, even in the first hours after their administration to rats, the peculiarities of their effect on testicular steroidogenesis begin to appear, which, after a long-term administration, lead to significant differences in their steroidogenic activity.

Intrauterine administration of human chorionic gonadotropin improves the live birth rates of patients with repeated implantation failure in frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles by increasing the percentage of peripheral regulatory T cells.

Repeated implantation failure (RIF) frustrates both patients and their clinicians. Our aim was to observe the effects of intrauterine administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on pregnancy outcomes of patients who received frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). A prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the impact of intrauterine administration of hCG on pregnancy outcomes in FET cycles of patients with RIF from January 1st 2016 to December 31st 2016. The treatment group (n = 153, 152 cycles) received an infusion of 500IU of hCG diluted in normal saline 3days before embryo transfer. The control group (n = 152, 151 cycles) received embryo transfer with a previous intrauterine injection of normal saline without hCG. Early morning fasting blood samples were obtained from each patient for the measurement of peripheral regulatory T cells (Tregs) on the day of embryo transfer. The outcome parameters including Tregs in each group were compared. The patients in the hCG-treated group had significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates, implantation rates and live birth rates than the controls (37.5% versus 25.17%, 29.19% versus 19.4%, 26.97% versus 17.22%, respectively). They also had significantly higher percentages of peripheral Tregs than the controls (6.1 ± 0.6% versus 5.4 ± 1.0%). In addition, the clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and live birth rate in patients who received blastocyst transfer were significantly higher in the hCG-treated group when compared to the control group (41.38% versus 26.44%, 42.22% versus 26.14%, 33.33% versus 17.24%, respectively). We also showed that the clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and live birth rate were significantly higher in hCG-treated group when compared to the control group (49.12% versus 28.07%, 49.15% versus 28.07%, 40.35% versus 17.54%, respectively) of RIF patients with blastocyst transfer under 35years, while there was on difference in patients above 35years. Intrauterine administration of hCG significantly improves the clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and live birth rate in FET cycles of patients with RIF by increasing Tregs. The treatment improves the pregnancy outcomes much more for younger RIF patients transferred blastocysts.

Does luteal phase support by human chorionic gonadotropin improve pregnancy outcomes in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles?

Abstract Objective The present study was aimed to investigation the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration on the implantation and pregnancy outcomes in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Design This is a cross sectional retrospective study. Setting Research and Clinical Center for Infertility of Yazd. Materials and methods Totally, 200 FET cycles categorized into two groups: (A) hCG treatment group (N = 100), the patients received 3 doses of hCG after embryo transfer (ET); and (B) control group (N = 100), the patients received routine protocol. Finally, chemical and clinical pregnancy, and also implantation rates were compared between two groups. Results All the cycles into two groups were matched regarding to demographic and basic characteristics. Moreover, there were significant differences between groups regarding chemical pregnancy ( P = 0.048), clinical pregnancy ( P = 0.041). There was a trend towards decrease of miscarriage rate in hCG treatment group, although differences were not significant (P = 0.434). Conclusion Findings revealed an improvement in pregnancy rates following hCG administration in FET cycles.

Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin treatment after artificial inseminations on conception rate with the first follicular wave dominant follicle in the ovary ipsilateral to the corpus luteum in lactating dairy cows

We examined the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment 5 days after artificial insemination (AI) on conception rate when the first-wave dominant follicle (DF) in the ovaries was either ipsilateral or contralateral to the corpus luteum (CL) in lactating dairy cows. 577 cows from 4 dairy farms were divided into the following two groups 5 days after AI using transrectal ultrasonography: (1) the ipsilateral group (IG; n = 348), in which the DF was ipsilateral to the CL, and (2) the contralateral group (CG; n = 229), in which the DF was contralateral to the CL. IG and CG were further subdivided into two groups: non-treatment groups, which received no treatment (IG, n = 220; CG, n = 128), and hCG treatment group, that was administrated 1500 IU hCG 5 days after AI (IG, n = 143; CG, n = 86). Pregnancy was diagnosed by rectal palpation or transrectal ultrasonography from 53 to 67 days after AI. Conception rate was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the hCG treatment group of IG (40.6%) than in the non-treatment group of IG (21.4%); however, there was no difference in the non-treatment (51.7%) and hCG treatment (43.0%) groups of CG. Parity, farm, days in milk at AI, interaction between the farm and hCG treatment and interaction between the farm and location of the first-wave DF and CL did not affect conception rate. Our results suggest that conception rate can be improved by administrating hCG only to cows with the first wave DF ipsilateral to the CL.

Arginine vasotocin induces calling behavior with a female social stimulus and interacts with gonadotropins to affect sexual behaviors in male Xenopus tropicalis

Arginine vasotocin (AVT) and the mammalian homologue, arginine vasopressin (AVP), modulate vertebrate social behaviors, including vocalizations in male anurans. To study the impact of AVT and social stimuli on calling in male Xenopus tropicalis, we injected males with vehicle, 1μg, or 10μg AVT and recorded vocalizations under four social contexts (no stimulus, with male call playback, with a female, and with call playback and a female). More males called when injected with 10μg AVT. Furthermore, calling males called only when paired with a female. We identified four call types: long fast trill; short fast trill; slow trill; or click. Next, we injected males with vehicle, 10μg, or 20μg AVT and recorded vocalizations with or without a female. AVT treatment did not affect calling in this experiment, but we confirmed that more males, regardless of AVT treatment, called when a female was present. Then we evaluated the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on male sexual behavior. 20IU hCG elevated behavior compared to controls while the 10IU hCG treatment group was not different from either treatment. Last, we examined the effect of AVT on hCG-induced reproductive behavior. Males were injected with 10IU hCG or with 10IU hCG and 20μg AVT. Males receiving hCG and AVT clasped and called significantly more than males receiving hCG only. Our results suggest that AVT and a female stimulus induce vocalizations in a male pipid anuran, X. tropicalis, and the interaction between gonadotropins and neurohormones influences reproductive behaviors in this anuran amphibian.

In vitro Fertilization Outcome following Embryo Transfer with or without Preinstillation of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin into the Uterine Cavity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Intrauterine injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at embryo transfer (ET) has been shown to improve the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques. The aim of this study was to confirm previous findings. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 483 infertile women who were candidates for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) for the first time were randomly assigned to receive an intrauterine injection of 500 IU hCG or placebo (tissue culture media) before ET. The main outcome measures were implantation and clinical pregnancy rates. Results: Both the hCG-treated group (n = 240) and control group (n = 243) were similar at baseline in terms of demographic and obstetrical characteristics. There were significant differences between the two groups regarding the implantation rate (23.6 vs. 12.2%, p < 0.001), pregnancy rate (54.6 vs. 35.8%, p < 0.001), clinical pregnancy rate (50 vs. 32.1%, p < 0.001), ongoing pregnancy rate (15.3 vs. 9.2%, p < 0.001) and live delivery rate (14.3 vs. 8.4%, p < 0.001). The rate of fertilization and abortion rates were not statistically different. Conclusion: Intrauterine injection of hCG before ET improves implantation and pregnancy rates and may be considered an adjuvant in IVF/ICSI.

10 TIMED ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PROTOCOLS TO SYNCHRONIZATION OF OVULATION IN BOS TAURUS TAURUS SUCKLING BEEF COWS

The aim of this study was to compare 3 methods for synchronization of ovulation in anestrous beef cows. The hypothesis of this study was to determine whether low doses of hCG has superior efficacy to cypionate to induce ovulation in anestrous cows and provide higher pregnancy rate in oestrus-synchronization programs. Synchronization of ovulation and conception rate to timed AI (TAI) were evaluated in anestrus Bos taurus taurus suckling beef cows 45 ± 15 days postpartum and with body condition score of 2.9 (1 to 5) maintained in a native pastured system in the south of Brazil. Females were evaluated with ultrasound on the Day 0 (D0) of the protocol (Day 0), day 8 (D8), immediately before TAI (D10), and 7 days after TAI (Day 17). All cows were synchronized with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (IPRD; 0.75 g of progesterone, Prociclar®, Hertape Calier Animal Health, Juatuba, Brazil) and 2 mg IM of oestradiol benzoate (EB; Benzoato HC®) on D0. On Day 8, the IPRD was removed and 150 μg of D (+) cloprostenol (Veteglan Luteolytic®), and 25 IU IM FSH/LH (Pluset®) were administered. Females of the EC (n = 84) group received 1 mg IM of oestradiol cypionate (EC; Cipionato HC®). Females on D8 of the hCG (n = 81) group received 500 IU IM of hCG (Vetecor®, Hertape Calier) at the time of TAI. The females of the EC + hCG group (n = 83) received both treatments. All cows were submitted to TAI 54 h after withdrawal of IPRD. A part of the cows (n = 102) had the ovulation evaluated every 12 h from the withdrawal of IPRD [EC (n = 34), hCG (n = 34), and hCG + EC (n = 33)]. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS PROC GLIMMIX. The dominant follicle diameter (FD) on Day 8 (8.7 ± 0.2, 8.8 ± 0.2, 8.6 ± 0.2) did not differ between treatments EC, EC + hCG, or hCG (P = 0.79). However, the FD on D10 was higher (P = 0.001) for cows treated with hCG (12.9 ± 0.3) compared with cows from the EC (11.3 ± 0.2) or EC + hCG group (11.8 ± 0.2). The interval (h) between the withdrawal of IPRD and ovulation was lower (P = 0.01) for the hCG group, (71.2 ± 1.7) compared with the groups treated with EC or EC + hCG (76.6 ± 2.18 and 74.2 ± 1.65), respectively. The ovulation rate did not differ (P = 0.61) among the EC (85.2%, 29/34), hCG (91.1%, 31/34), or EC + hCG groups (90.9%, 30/33). Corpus luteum diameter (mm) was higher (P = 0.04) on D17 for the hCG-treated group (21.4 ± 0.3) compared with others treatments (EC = 19.1 ± 0.8 or EC + hCG = 20.4 ± 0.8). However, the plasma progesterone levels on D17 were EC = 2.0 ± 0.1, hCG = 2.4 ± 0.1, and EC + hCG = 2.3 ± 0.1 ng mL–1 (P = 0.19), and the conception rate on the 28th day after TAI (EC = 43.0%; hCG = 47.0%, and EC + hCG = 48.8%; P = 0.76) was also similar. The hCG determined smallest ovulation interval, but similar rates of pregnancy were observed with both treatments.

Effects of three different medications on metabolic parameters and testicular volume in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: 3‐year experience

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the influences of three different treatment strategies on biochemical parameters and testicular volume (TV) in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). Seventy-seven never-treated patients with IHH and age and body mass index (BMI)-matched 42 healthy controls were analysed in a retrospective design. Twenty-eight patients were treated with testosterone esters (TE), 25 patients were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and 24 patients were treated with testosterone gel (TG). Biochemical parameters, tanner stages (TS) and TV were evaluated before and after 6 months of treatment. Pretreatment TV, TS and biochemical test results were similar among the three treatment subgroup. In the TE-treated group, BMI, haemoglobin, haematocrit, creatinine, triglyceride, total testosterone (TT), TS and TV increased, but HDL-cholesterol (C) and urea level decreased significantly. In the hCG-treated group, triglyceride level decreased, and luteinizing hormone level, TS and TV increased significantly. BMI, TT, TS and TV increased, and leucocyte count, total-C, HDL-C levels decreased significantly in the TG-treated patients. No treatment type resulted in any changes in insulin resistance markers. hCG treatment resulted in favourable effects particularly on TV and lipid parameters. When TV improvement is considered less important, TG treatment may be a better option for older patients with IHH because of its easy use, neutral effects on triglyceride, haemoglobin and haematocrit, and its beneficial effects on total cholesterol level.

A comparison of human chorionic gonadotropin and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone on the induction of spermiation and amplexus in the American toad (Anaxyrus americanus)

BackgroundCaptive breeding programs for endangered amphibian species often utilize exogenous hormones for species that are difficult to breed. The purpose of our study was to compare the efficacy of two different hormones at various concentrations on sperm production, quantity and quality over time in order to optimize assisted breeding.MethodsMale American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) were divided into three separate treatment groups, with animals in each group rotated through different concentrations of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analog (LHRH; 0.1, 1.0, 4.0 and 32 micrograms/toad), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 50, 100, 200, and 300 IU), or the control over 24 hours. We evaluated the number of males that respond by producing spermic urine, the sperm concentration, percent motility, and quality of forward progression. We also evaluated the effects of hCG and LHRH on reproductive behavior as assessed by amplexus. Data were analyzed using the Generalized Estimating Equations incorporating repeated measures over time and including the main effects of treatment and time, and the treatment by time interaction.ResultsThe hormone hCG was significantly more effective at stimulating spermiation in male Anaxyrus americanus than LHRH and showed a dose-dependent response in the number of animals producing sperm. At the most effective hCG dose (300 IU), 100% of the male toads produced sperm, compared to only 35% for the best LHRH dose tested (4.0 micrograms). In addition to having a greater number of responders (P < 0.05), the 300 IU hCG treatment group had a much higher average sperm concentration (P < 0.05) than the treatment group receiving 4.0 micrograms LHRH. In contrast, these two treatments did not result in significant differences in sperm motility or quality of forward progressive motility. However, more males went into amplexus when treated with LHRH vs. hCG (90% vs. 75%) by nine hours post-administration.ConclusionThere is a clear dichotomy between the two hormones’ physiological responses on gamete production and stimulation of amplexus. Understanding how these two hormones influence physiology and reproductive behaviors in amphibians will have direct bearing on establishing similar breeding protocols for endangered species.

Application of hormonal treatment in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: more than ten years experience

To demonstrate the efficacy of hormone treatment on the patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), we summarized our more than 10 years experience. A total of 242 male patients (age range 15-52 years old) with HH including two Kallmann syndrome treated at the andrology outpatient clinics of university hospital in the past 10 years were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups based on the different treatment strategy. There were 84 patients treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (group 1, hCG treatment group), 74 patients treated with hCG plus human menopause gonadotropin (hMG) (group 2, hCG + hMG treatment group), and 84 patients treated with testosterone (group 3, T treatment group). Sex characteristics, testicular volume, and sperm production were determined before and after the treatments. The therapeutic effects in the three groups were analyzed statistically. In total, 42 patients of group 1 (50.0%) and 56 of group 2 (75.7%) had their testicular volumes increased after 6-18 months treatment, from 2.0 ± 1.1 to 6.8 ± 3.2 mL and 2.1 ± 1.1 to 8.8 ± 3.9 mL, respectively. Only six patients of group 3 had their testicular volumes increased but no statistically significant. Among the patients with testes growth, 34 patients of group 1 and 48 patients of group 2 achieved spermatogenesis, and three of them made their wives pregnant naturally. During the follow-up after treatment, there were 36 patients finally defined as delayed puberty, and 204 patients defined as idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. For the hormonal treatment of HH, testosterone therapy could not stimulate testes growth and spermatogenesis, but HCG therapy and hCG/hMG combination therapy both are effective, while hCG/hMG combination therapy could achieve better therapeutic effects.