Pharmacogenomic of LH and its receptor: are we ready for clinical practice?

Abstract Luteinizing hormone (LH) is fundamental to support development and reproduction. It acts through a receptor expressed in the gonads, modulating mitogenic, anti-apoptotic, and steroidogenic signals. LH is also marketed as a drug for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), where it is administe...

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Main Authors: Alessandro Conforti, Raffaella Di Girolamo, Maurizio Guida, Carlo Alviggi, Livio Casarini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-025-01359-2
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author Alessandro Conforti
Raffaella Di Girolamo
Maurizio Guida
Carlo Alviggi
Livio Casarini
author_facet Alessandro Conforti
Raffaella Di Girolamo
Maurizio Guida
Carlo Alviggi
Livio Casarini
author_sort Alessandro Conforti
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Luteinizing hormone (LH) is fundamental to support development and reproduction. It acts through a receptor expressed in the gonads, modulating mitogenic, anti-apoptotic, and steroidogenic signals. LH is also marketed as a drug for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), where it is administered to women to support the action of follicle-stimulating hormone and can lead to specific responses, depending on the individual genetic background. These concepts underline the relevance of a pharmacogenetic approach to COS, in the attempt to optimize clinical outcomes and avoid adverse events. However, knowledge is currently limited by the paucity of clinical studies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of LH and its receptor activity, starting from the description of their molecular pathways from in vitro studies. Data on LH action from in vivo studies were described, as well as the impact of LH and LH/choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptor genetic variants on folliculogenesis and its association with infertility or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Finally, evidence from clinical studies evaluating genetic polymorphisms in the context of assisted reproductive technology treatments and its implications for a pharmacogenomic approach were discussed.
format Article
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issn 1477-7827
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publisher BMC
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series Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
spelling doaj-art-168ad907252d409fa6c46ff5d9b58b8d2025-08-20T03:10:32ZengBMCReproductive Biology and Endocrinology1477-78272025-02-0123S111210.1186/s12958-025-01359-2Pharmacogenomic of LH and its receptor: are we ready for clinical practice?Alessandro Conforti0Raffaella Di Girolamo1Maurizio Guida2Carlo Alviggi3Livio Casarini4Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico IIDepartment of Public Health, University of Naples Federico IIDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico IIDepartment of Public Health, University of Naples Federico IIUnit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaAbstract Luteinizing hormone (LH) is fundamental to support development and reproduction. It acts through a receptor expressed in the gonads, modulating mitogenic, anti-apoptotic, and steroidogenic signals. LH is also marketed as a drug for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), where it is administered to women to support the action of follicle-stimulating hormone and can lead to specific responses, depending on the individual genetic background. These concepts underline the relevance of a pharmacogenetic approach to COS, in the attempt to optimize clinical outcomes and avoid adverse events. However, knowledge is currently limited by the paucity of clinical studies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of LH and its receptor activity, starting from the description of their molecular pathways from in vitro studies. Data on LH action from in vivo studies were described, as well as the impact of LH and LH/choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptor genetic variants on folliculogenesis and its association with infertility or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Finally, evidence from clinical studies evaluating genetic polymorphisms in the context of assisted reproductive technology treatments and its implications for a pharmacogenomic approach were discussed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-025-01359-2LHLHCGRGenetic variantsPharmacogenomicIVFOvarian stimulation
spellingShingle Alessandro Conforti
Raffaella Di Girolamo
Maurizio Guida
Carlo Alviggi
Livio Casarini
Pharmacogenomic of LH and its receptor: are we ready for clinical practice?
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
LH
LHCGR
Genetic variants
Pharmacogenomic
IVF
Ovarian stimulation
title Pharmacogenomic of LH and its receptor: are we ready for clinical practice?
title_full Pharmacogenomic of LH and its receptor: are we ready for clinical practice?
title_fullStr Pharmacogenomic of LH and its receptor: are we ready for clinical practice?
title_full_unstemmed Pharmacogenomic of LH and its receptor: are we ready for clinical practice?
title_short Pharmacogenomic of LH and its receptor: are we ready for clinical practice?
title_sort pharmacogenomic of lh and its receptor are we ready for clinical practice
topic LH
LHCGR
Genetic variants
Pharmacogenomic
IVF
Ovarian stimulation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-025-01359-2
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AT raffaelladigirolamo pharmacogenomicoflhanditsreceptorarewereadyforclinicalpractice
AT maurizioguida pharmacogenomicoflhanditsreceptorarewereadyforclinicalpractice
AT carloalviggi pharmacogenomicoflhanditsreceptorarewereadyforclinicalpractice
AT liviocasarini pharmacogenomicoflhanditsreceptorarewereadyforclinicalpractice