The compound is a protein identical to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH is a body’s own hormone that stimulates the growth and maturation of egg follicles in the ovaries. Follicles are the vesicles in which egg cells mature. When an egg is fully matured, the vesicle bursts open and the egg is released (ovulation). This makes a woman fertile. Women with low FSH levels may have problems getting pregnant. Treatment with the compound could help women to ovulate and become pregnant.
The compound tested in this study is not a new compound; it is already available on the market. The compound comes in two formulations. Both are authorized for use. You will receive both of these. In this trial we will investigate how quickly and to what extent the compound is absorbed, transported, and eliminated from the body. In addition, we look at how the body processes the compound in a different composition. We also investigate how safe the compound is and how well it is tolerated when it is used by healthy females.
You will be given the compound two times as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous). You will also be given an approved combined contraceptive pill (Marvelon) once daily as a tablet that you swallow, which means you will have to stop taking your own contraceptive pill during the trial. You will start taking this contraceptive pill 3 weeks before the first compound administration. During the trial, you will continue to use this contraceptive pill. After the follow-up visit, you can use your own contraceptive pill again. For this trial, you will receive a diary to keep track of your daily intake of the contraceptive pill at home or at the research facility.
After you have passed the medical screening, a gynecological examination and a cervical smear test will be done, and a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) will be made. This will be performed during a separate visit. A cervical smear is used to check for infections of the cervix. A smooth, tube-shaped tool (speculum) is inserted into your vagina which allows your doctor to see your cervix. A small brush will be used to take a sample of the cells in your cervix. You may experience discomfort and bleeding from where the sample is collected, but this should stop within a few hours. For the TVUS, a narrow rod-shaped instrument will be inserted into your vagina. A TVUS itself will likely take between 15 and 60 minutes and will be done by a gynecologist. A gynecological examination and a cervical smear will also be done at the follow-up visit, and a TVUS will take place three more times during the trial. These procedures may cause some discomfort, but should not cause any pain.