How are gonadotropins administered?

• A. Vaginally
• B. Subcutaneous or Intramuscular
• C. Orally
• D. Transdermal

Answer: (B)

Gonadotropins are peptide hormones used to stimulate follicle development in infertility therapy. Because they are proteins, they are not orally bioavailable—they are degraded in the digestive tract and poorly absorbed—so they must be given by injection to reach the bloodstream in reliable amounts. The practical routes are subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. Subcutaneous administration is common for outpatient regimens because it can be self-administered and provides steady absorption, while intramuscular injections may be used in certain regimens or settings for faster absorption. Oral, vaginal, or transdermal routes are not effective for these peptides due to poor bioavailability or instability, so they are not used.