Methods and compositions for managing reproduction

A method of controlling reproduction in a female mammal comprising inserting intra-vaginally an erodible composition that in situ releases multiple components in phases, the multiple components causing:

• (i) induction of oestrus/multifollicular recruitment, wherein a first component of the composition comprises at least one follicle stimulating agent and a permeation enhancer, wherein the at least one follicle stimulating agent is selected from the group consisting of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG), human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG), menotrophin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), follitrophin-alpha, follitrophin-beta, corifollitrophin-alpha, urofollitrophin, activin, betaglycan, follistatin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), extendin-4, follistatin inhibitors, peptide YY, activin A/B, inhibin inhibitors, activin receptor blockers and kisspeptin;
• (ii) induction of ovulation/luteinisation, wherein a second component of the composition comprises at least one ovulation stimulating agent and a permeation enhancer, wherein the at least one ovulation stimulating agent is selected from the group consisting of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), total hCG, C-terminal peptide total hCG, intact hCG, free-subunit hCG, β-core fragment hCG, hyperglycosylated hCG, nicked hCG, alpha hCG, pituitary hCG, luteinising hormone (LH);
• and optionally
• (iii) induction of an immunopermissive uterine environment prior to implantation of an embryo or prior to insemination, wherein an optional third component of the composition comprises at least one cytokine selected from the group consisting of eotaxin, RANTES, IL-12 and GM-CSF.