Menotropin is a gonadotropin drug extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women, containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Menotropin can stimulate ovarian follicular development and maturation by binding to FSH receptors, while activating LH receptors to promote estrogen secretion and trigger ovulation. Menotropin can be used in research related to female anovulatory infertility and male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism[1-4].
In vitro, Menotropin (0.1-100mIU/ml) was used to treat SKOV-3 human ovarian carcinoma cells for 6 hours. Menotropin did not significantly affect urokinase plasminogen activator secretion[5]. Menotropin (10mIU/ml) was used to treat human granulosa cells for 48 hours. Menotropin significantly increased progesterone concentrations in the medium and cytoplasm, and enhanced microsomal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity[6].
In vivo, Menotropin (15IU; single injection) was administered intraperitoneally to immature female Sprague Dawley albino rats at 28 days of age. Menotropin induced ovulation in rats over two consecutive days[7]. Menotropin (5IU/day) was administered intraperitoneally to 6-week-old BALB/C mice for 5 days. Menotropin significantly increased serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels in mice, enlarged follicular volume, thickened granulosa cells, and promoted corpus luteum formation[8].
References:
[1] Li J, Peng Y, Dai X, et al. Human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) combined different doses of letrozole for treating anovulatory infertility in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2025 Jun;42(6):1895-1906.
[2] Daya S. WITHDRAWN: Follicle-stimulating hormone and human menopausal gonadotropin for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction cycles. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 1996 Apr 22;(1):CD000061.
[3] Levi Setti PE, Alviggi C, Colombo GL, et al. Human recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) compared to urinary human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction: a literature review and cost evaluation. J Endocrinol Invest. 2015 May;38(5):497-503.
[4] Baer G, Loumaye E. Comparison of recombinant human luteinising hormone (r-hLH) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in assisted reproductive technology. Curr Med Res Opin. 2003;19(2):83-8.
[5] McDonnel AC, Murdoch WJ. High-dose progesterone inhibition of urokinase secretion and invasive activity by SKOV-3 ovarian carcinoma cells: evidence for a receptor-independent nongenomic effect on the plasma membrane. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2001 Aug;78(2):185-91.
[6] Riccetti L, Klett D, Ayoub MA, et al. Heterogeneous hCG and hMG commercial preparations result in different intracellular signalling but induce a similar long-term progesterone response in vitro. Mol Hum Reprod. 2017 Oct 1;23(10):685-697.
[7] Koyama T, Hagino N, Cothron AW, et al. Effect of toki-shakuyaku-san on ovulation induced by human menopausal gonadotropin in rats. Am J Chin Med. 1988;16(3-4):169-72.
[8] Wen X, Xie J, Zhou L, et al. The role of combining medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate with human menopausal gonadotropin in mouse ovarian follicular development. Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 13;8(1):4439.