Measuring IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 profiles in women seeking assisted reproduction; response of women categorized as poor-prognosis to recombinant growth hormone adjuvant therapy (Study 4)

In this fourth study examining the relevance of measuring the IGF profile (IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and the ratio of IGFBP-3/ IGF-1) in women presenting for assisted reproductive technologies (ART), we have examined the influence of recombinant growth hormone (rGH) prescribed as an adjuvant on the profile. Of 1633 ART-naive women who completed an assessment cycle (AC) workup, and which included an IGF profile, 941 women proceeded to an in-vitro fertilization ± intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF±ICSI) treatment cycle during the period January 2011 to December 2019. Among those women, 90 were prescribed rGH because they were classified as likely poor-prognosis cases on the basis of advanced age or evidence of severely reduced ovarian reserve parameters. These women had their IVF±ICSI treatment within 3-months of their AC and consented to a second IGF profile measurement 4-6 weeks during their rGH treatment phase. Of the 90 women prescribed rGH adjuvant, 71 used the adjuvant and 19 deferred the treatment, but still completed the second IGF-profile. The data showed that rGH caused a significant elevation in IGF-1 (p