Growth hormone and fertility: molecular mechanisms and experience of adjuvant therapy in reproductology

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are pivotal hormones regulating not only postnatal growth, development, aging, and longevity but also female reproductive function. In clinical practice, GH is widely utilized as an ad juvant therapy to enhance various clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART). It is aimed at increasing the yield and quality of oocytes and embryos, as well as improving pregnancy and live birth rates both in the general population and among patients with GH deficiency. Over the past three decades, the roles of GH and IGF-1 in regulating female repro duction have garnered increasing attention, becoming a major focus of research in both endocrinology and reproductive medicine.

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