Omnitrope with IVF: The Benefits of Growth Hormone
Omnitrope® is a recombinant human growth hormone that has emerged as a promising adjunctive therapy during IVF treatment. In this article, we’ll explore why and when Omnitrope is incorporated into IVF protocols, how it works, and the clinical evidence supporting its use. Read on to gain an understanding of the ways that Omnitrope can optimize IVF outcomes.
What is Omnitrope
Omnitrope® is the brand name for a synthetic form of human growth hormone (hGH) known as somatropin. It is created using recombinant DNA technology in a laboratory as opposed to being extracted from human or animal tissue.
When Is Omnitrope used with IVF?
Omnitrope is usually administered 30-90 days before the start of an IVF cycle and continued through the stimulation phase of IVF until it is time to trigger.
How Does Omnitrope Work?
Omnitrope is prescribed to accelerate the maturation of follicles, enhance the quality of eggs and embryo development, and improve the chances of implantation in the uterus.
Growth Hormone works by increasing the hormone insulin-like-growth factor-1(IGF-1) (Sood et. Al, 2021). IGF-1 alters the activity of aromatase, an enzyme that helps convert androgens, including testosterone, into estrogen.
An increase in IGF-1 enhances follicular development, egg maturation, and hormone production.
Enhances Ovarian Response
Omnitrope has been found to stimulate follicle development and increase the number of mature eggs retrieved during ovarian stimulation in IVF cycles in women with and without poor ovarian reserve.
Improves ovarian reserve
Studies suggest that Omnitrope may enhance the quality of a woman’s remaining eggs, which is known as ovarian reserve. Oocytes (female eggs) harvested from follicles with normal growth hormone levels in the fluid in which the eggs develop have been shown to be more fertile than eggs that mature in follicles with lower concentrations of growth hormone.
Promotes Endometrial Receptivity
Through synergistic enhancement and conversion of estrogen and progesterone development, Omnitrope and other human growth hormones have been found to improve the ability of the endometrial lining to accept an embryo, thereby supporting successful implantation.
What populations is Omniptrope Used for?
Omnitrope is most often prescribed to women who :
- Have poor ovarian reserve as determined by testing
- Women over 38 years of age who experience a natural decrease in the quantity and quality of their ovarian reserve.
- Women who previously responded poorly to an IVF cycle.
How Omnitrope Enhances IVF Success Rates
Though Omnitrope is most often administered to women of advanced reproductive age and with poor ovarian reserve, research shows that Omnitrope is beneficial for women without impaired ovarian reserve and who have no other factors that would suggest poor IVF outcomes.
In a 2021 study, women treated with Omnitrope retrieved an average of 23% more eggs and 36% more cleavage embryos compared to a control group, In addition, the Omnitrope group showed significantly improved outcomes in implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rates per cycle, and live birth rate per cycle.
IVF Factor Per Cycle | Omnitrope Group | Control Group |
Retrieved eggs | 5.92 – 10.29 | 4.17 – 8.16 |
Implantation rate | 36% | 17.86% |
Clinical pregnancy rates | 43.93% | 19.61% |
Live birth rate | 41.12% | 17.65% |
A 2019 systemic review on the use of Growth Hormone such as Omnitrope for women with poor ovarian reserve found that it can shorten stimulation periods, reduce the need for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), increase estrogen levels during egg retrieval, increase the number of eggs collected, and yield more fertilized eggs and embryos.
However, despite these benefits, there was no significant difference in the rate of live births between the GH group and the control group (18.3% vs. 14.7%).
The 2019 Australian “LIGHT” study, non-obese women under 40 who had previously responded poorly to IVF found no difference in live birth rates between the GH group and the placebo group (14.5% vs. 13.7%).
However, more women in the GH group reached the egg retrieval stage (95.4% vs. 78.5%) and, on average, collected one more egg (5 vs. 4 eggs). There was no difference in embryo development or the chances of reaching embryo transfer between the two groups.
The evidence that Omnitrope improves the chance of live birth on a population level is unclear. However, at CNY, Omnitrope is used quite often on an individual basis and has improved the outcomes for many patients. If you have experienced failed cycles, Omnitrope is one option that can have a positive impact on your next cycle.
Precautions for Using Omnitrope®
There are a few factors that contraindicate the use of Omnitrope, including:
- cancer or tumors
- allergies to growth hormones
- eye problems related to diabetes
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Sleep apnea
Possible Side Effects of Omnitrope®
Some common side effects of Omnitrope injections include :
- Numbness, redness, or swelling at the site of injection
- Headache
- Muscle or joint pain
- Tingling and numbness in hands or extremities
- Elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and sugar in the urine (glucosuria)
- Hypothyroidism
- Edema (fluid retention)
More serious, but far less common side effects include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Recurrence of tumor and cancerous growth
- Vision changes
- Increased cerebral pressure
- Pancreatitis
- Increased risk of death for people with Prader-Willi syndrome
Omnitrope for IVF: The Bottom Line
Integrating Omnitrope into IVF protocols may significantly improve IVF outcomes. By enhancing ovarian response, improving ovarian reserve, and promoting endometrial receptivity, Omnitrope can improve pregnancy rates for individuals undergoing fertility treatment.
Though Omnitrope is most often administered to women who have poor ovarian reserve and/or who are over 38, research suggests that Omnitrope can benefit women with normal ovarian reserve and who are otherwise normal candidates for IVF.
