Assisted fertilization: the benefit of hormonal treatments

2001/01/31 Carton Virto, Eider - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Anatomia/Fisiologia

Women who use artificial fertilization to be children do hormone treatments to excite ovaries and give more eggs, but according to two studies published today in the journal Human Reproduction the technique is neither necessary nor beneficial. Researchers at Oslo National Hospital have shown that in mice treated with hormone fertilization is less successful. After testing with four mouse groups, the probability of successfully implanting the fertilized egg in the uterus is lower in treated mice as well as in embryo development. In particular, mice treated with hormone lose 69% of implanted eggs, twice as much as those not treated. The causes of failure are not yet clear, but it is believed to have to do with changes in the conditions of the uterus or the quality of the eggs.

On the other hand, UK experts have analyzed and compared hormonal treatments applied to women to combat infertility with those based on women's natural cycle. The conclusion is significant: taking hormones or not, the chances of becoming pregnant are similar. But not only that, without hormones, fewer multiple pregnancies would occur and safety would be greater. In addition, the cost of the technique would be only a fifth. In short, taking advantage of the natural cycle of menstruation is as productive as using hormones, but cheaper. Hormone treatments have long been prevalent in fertilization treatments and we will have to see what the published ones give today.

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