HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin)
Also known as: Human menopausal gonadotropin, hMG, Menotropins, Menotrophin, HP-hMG (highly purified hMG), Menopur, Pergonal (historical)
FDA-approved prescription fertility medicine (Menopur) for multiple follicular development in assisted reproductive technology
3 notable studies · 4 references
TLDR
HMG (menotropins) is a prescription fertility medicine purified from postmenopausal women's urine that supplies FSH and LH activity to stimulate the ovaries in IVF; two large randomized trials found highly purified HMG non-inferior to recombinant FSH for pregnancy rates, and its use belongs within supervised fertility treatment.
At a Glance
Classification: Urine-derived gonadotropin preparation from postmenopausal women containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) activity; FSH and LH/hCG receptor agonist; fertility (ovarian stimulation) medicine
HMG (menotropins) is a fertility medicine purified from the urine of postmenopausal women, whose bodies naturally make high levels of the reproductive hormones FSH and LH. It provides both FSH activity (grows ovarian follicles) and LH activity (supports follicle hormone production). In highly purified products, part of the LH activity comes from hCG. Gonadotropin extracts have been used in infertility treatment for decades, and HMG was one of the first widely used human-derived preparations. Today it is an approved prescription medicine (for example Menopur) used to stimulate the ovaries during IVF and other assisted reproduction. Two large randomized trials found highly purified HMG non-inferior to recombinant FSH for ongoing pregnancy rates.
What Is HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin)?
FSH and LH are glycoprotein hormones made by the pituitary. HMG / menotropins → urine-derived mix with FSH and LH activity Recombinant FSH (follitropin alfa/beta) → FSH only, made in cell culture hCG → placental hormone that acts on the LH receptor; used to trigger ovulation, and present in HP-hMG as a source of LH activity Gonadorelin → GnRH that tells the pituitary to release its own FSH and LH These are related but separate products.
What Are Researchers Studying?
IVF ovarian stimulation (long agonist protocol)
In the MERiT trial, 731 women undergoing IVF were randomized to HP-hMG or recombinant FSH. Ongoing pregnancy rates were 27% vs 22%, and HP-hMG was non-inferior. Recombinant FSH yielded more eggs, while HP-hMG produced a higher share of top-quality embryos.
IVF with GnRH antagonist and single-blastocyst transfer
In the MEGASET trial, 749 women were randomized to HP-hMG or recombinant FSH. Ongoing pregnancy after the fresh cycle was about 29-30% vs 27%, and cumulative live birth including frozen transfers within a year was 40% vs 38%. HP-hMG was non-inferior.
Hormone profile differences
HP-hMG and recombinant FSH produce different hormone patterns in serum and follicular fluid, which may relate to embryo-quality differences.
History of gonadotropin therapy
Gonadotropin treatment developed from animal and human pituitary extracts toward purified urinary and then recombinant products, driven by safety and consistency concerns.
How Does It Work?
HMG ↓ FSH receptors on granulosa cells → follicle recruitment and growth LH / hCG receptors on theca cells → androgen production (substrate for estradiol) ↓ multiple follicles develop ↓ followed (in IVF) by a separate trigger (hCG or a GnRH agonist) to mature eggs for retrieval. Because it stimulates several follicles, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and multiple pregnancy are key risks managed by fertility specialists.
What Does the Research Show?
Human research
HIGH for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction (large randomized trials). Head-to-head trials show broadly similar pregnancy outcomes to recombinant FSH. There is no evidence base for HMG outside supervised fertility treatment, including research-market or bodybuilding uses.
Animal research
Not central; human clinical data define its use.
In-vitro research
Gonadotropin receptor biology is well established.
Notable Studies
Clinical outcome following stimulation with highly purified hMG or recombinant FSH in patients undergoing IVF: a randomized assessor-blind controlled trial
humanJournal: Human Reproduction. MERiT: 731 women undergoing IVF (long GnRH agonist protocol) were randomized to HP-hMG or rFSH. Ongoing pregnancy rates were 27% vs 22% (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.89-1.75); non-inferiority shown, superiority not. rFSH gave more oocytes (11.8 vs 10.0), but HP-hMG gave a higher proportion of top-quality embryos.
Limitations: Assessor-blind but not patient-blind; manufacturer-sponsored; day-3 transfers.
View publication →A randomized assessor-blind trial comparing highly purified hMG and recombinant FSH in a GnRH antagonist cycle with compulsory single-blastocyst transfer
humanJournal: Fertility and Sterility. MEGASET: 749 women in a GnRH antagonist protocol with single-blastocyst transfer. Fresh-cycle ongoing pregnancy was 30% vs 27% (per protocol); cumulative live birth including frozen transfers within one year was 40% vs 38%. HP-hMG was non-inferior.
Limitations: Open-label with blinded assessors; manufacturer-sponsored.
View publication →Endocrine profile in serum and follicular fluid differs after ovarian stimulation with HP-hMG or recombinant FSH in IVF patients
humanJournal: Human Reproduction. Endocrine analysis in the 731-woman MERiT trial population. HP-hMG produced higher serum androgens and end-of-stimulation estradiol, while rFSH produced higher progesterone; follicular-fluid hormone levels also differed markedly, consistent with the added LH activity of HP-hMG.
Limitations: Mechanistic hormone analysis; not a clinical-outcome comparison; manufacturer-sponsored.
View publication →What We Still Don't Know
• Whether LH activity improves outcomes for specific patient subgroups • Long-term child-health differences between gonadotropin types (none clearly established) • Batch-to-batch variability inherent to urine-derived products • Any role outside supervised fertility treatment • Optimal individualized protocols, which remain clinician-determined
Related Compounds
Recent publications
Latest titles from PubMed, not reviewed by Aminodex. Not an endorsement. See all on PubMed ↗
Take the HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin) research with you.
Get the Aminodex HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin) Brief—a concise summary of the research, notable studies, evidence types, limitations, and references.
One-time email. We do not add you to any mailing list.
Sources & References
- Andersen AN et al. Clinical outcome following stimulation with highly purified hMG or recombinant FSH in patients undergoing IVF: a randomized assessor-blind controlled trial. Human Reproduction. 2006.
- Devroey P et al. A randomized assessor-blind trial comparing highly purified hMG and recombinant FSH in a GnRH antagonist cycle with compulsory single-blastocyst transfer. Fertility and Sterility. 2012.
- Smitz J et al. Endocrine profile in serum and follicular fluid differs after ovarian stimulation with HP-hMG or recombinant FSH in IVF patients. Human Reproduction. 2007.
- Lunenfeld B. Historical perspectives in gonadotrophin therapy. Hum Reprod Update. 2004.
Supplier Listings
A directory of relevant research suppliers for this compound is not yet available.