Method of treating reproductive disorders

Abstract

This is a method for treating reproductive disorders associated with a failure of gamete maturation in subjects by administering a composition containing a complex of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3).

1 . A method for treating a subject for a reproductive disorder associated with a failure of gamete maturation, said method comprising administering to said subject a complex comprising an insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), said complex being administered in an amount sufficient to alleviate said condition.  
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the complex comprises equimolar amounts of IGF and IGFBP-3.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the IGF is IGF-I.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 3    wherein the IGF is recombinant human IGF-I.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1    wherein thee IGFBP-3 is recombinant human IGFBP-3.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the IGF is IGF-II.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 6    wherein the IGF-II is recombinant human IGF-II.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 6    wherein the IGFBP-3 is recombinant human IGFBP-3.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the administration is parenteral.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 9    wherein the parenteral administration is performed by subcutaneous injection.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the sufficient amount is that amount of complex that results in an increase in serum estrogen in females or serum androgen in males.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the amount of complex administered is at least about 0.05 mg IGF/kg of body weight/day.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said subject is a mammal.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the disorder is polycystic ovarian disease.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the disorder is anovulation.  
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the disorder is treat with standard gonadotropin stimulation, superovulation, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer therapies.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the disorder is poor response to standard gonadotropin stimulation of normal ovulation.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the disorder is male infertility.  
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 18    wherein the disorder is hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.  
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the disorder is also associated with failure to respond to standard gonadotropin therapy.