Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

The pituitary gland plays a central role in regulating the reproductive system, primarily through its secretion of gonadotropins—luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones are critical for the normal functioning of the ovaries in women and the testes in men. Scientific validation for the use of pituitary gland extracts in treating infertility comes from the development and clinical use of purified or recombinant forms of pituitary gonadotropins. For decades, human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), derived from the urine of postmenopausal women, and earlier, extracts of animal pituitary glands, were administered to stimulate ovulation in women with anovulation or other fertility issues.

Today, highly purified and recombinant versions of FSH and LH are standard treatments in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). These hormones directly stimulate the ovaries to produce follicles and induce ovulation, significantly improving the chances of conception in appropriately selected patients. The original use of crude pituitary extracts has largely been replaced by safer, more controlled pharmaceutical preparations, but the principle remains rooted in solid physiological understanding and clinical evidence. However, it is important to note that direct use of unprocessed pituitary gland tissue is obsolete due to risks such as prion transmission and inconsistent dosing. The scientific evidence for using pituitary-derived or mimetic hormones to treat infertility is robust, justifying a high rating for evidence strength.

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