HMG

Human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG), also called menotropin, is a purified preparation extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women. It contains approximately equal amounts of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) bioactivity, standardized at 75 IU FSH : 75 IU LH per vial. In highly purified preparations such as Menopur (HP-hMG), the LH bioactivity is provided primarily by co-purified human chorionic gonadotropin (approximately 10 IU hCG per 75 IU FSH) rather than true LH, because hCG is naturally present in postmenopausal urine. The initial U.S. approval dates to 1975; Menopur (Ferring Pharmaceuticals) received NDA approval in 2004 for ART. HMG is primarily used in reproductive medicine. In women, it induces multifollicular development for oocyte retrieval in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. In men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism — where the pituitary fails to release adequate FSH and LH — HMG combined with HCG restores spermatogenesis by supplying both hormonal signals to the testes. FSH acts on Sertoli cells to support sperm production; HCG (substituting for LH) acts on Leydig cells to maintain intratesticular testosterone, which synergizes with FSH. HMG is a regulated pharmaceutical available only by prescription in most jurisdictions. Research-grade or compounded menotropin marketed online is unregulated and poses quality and sterility risks. WADA prohibits LH and chorionic gonadotropin in male athletes at all times under S2, which encompasses HMG. This entry is for research and educational reference only.