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Induction of Ovulation

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Clinical Reproductive Medicine and Surgery

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Abstract

Induction of ovulation or stimulation of ovarian follicular development remains a key component of therapy in the infertility patient. Several applications exist, including restoration of ovulation in anovulatory women, ovarian superovulation (stimulating more than one mature follicle) in ovulatory women, and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (stimulating the development of multiple dominant follicles) for assisted reproduction. Ovulation induction can be achieved through several avenues, including disruption of the negative estrogen-feedback loop, direct gonadotropin administration, inhibition of androgen conversion to estrogen, use of insulin-sensitizing agents, and laparoscopic surgical intervention. This chapter will review a brief history of these agents, the underlying scientific basis, and clinical guidelines regarding the use of different medications for the purpose of promoting follicular recruitment and ovulation. Included in this chapter is a brief overview of follicular development and ovulation, along with a description of the anatomical axes involved in this process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Alan M. Martinez MD & Steven R. Lindheim MD, MMM

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  1. Alan M. Martinez MD
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Correspondence to Alan M. Martinez MD .

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  1. Cleveland Clinic, Ob/Gyn & Women's Health Institute, Euclid Ave 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Tommaso Falcone

  2. Duke University Medical Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erwin Rd 2301, Durham, 27705, North Carolina, USA

    William W. Hurd

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Martinez, A.M., Lindheim, S.R. (2013). Induction of Ovulation. In: Falcone, T., Hurd, W. (eds) Clinical Reproductive Medicine and Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6837-0_14

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