The cumulative live birth rate and cost-effectiveness of the clomiphene and gonadotropin cotreatment protocol versus the mid-luteal GnRH agonist protocol in women over 35 years old.

The decrease in assisted reproductive technology success among older women, attributed to decreased oocyte quantity and quality, poses a significant challenge. Currently, no consensus on the optimal ovarian stimulation protocol for older women undergoing IVF exists. This retrospectively registered cohort study aimed to compare the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR), time to live birth (TTLB), and cost-effectiveness among women older than 35 years who were receiving either the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) or clomiphene citrate and gonadotropin cotreatment with ovarian stimulation (CC cotreatment) protocol. To compare treatment outcomes, we performed propensity score matching (PSM) on 2871 IVF cycles in women older than 35 years who received either the GnRHa or CC cotreatment protocol, resulting in 375 cycles in each group. Additionally, a decision tree model was utilized to assess the cost-effectiveness of the two protocols. Following PSM, both groups had similar baseline characteristics. The CC cotreatment protocol resulted in a greater rate of cycle cancellation (13.07% vs. 8.00%, p = 0.032), but the groups maintained comparable fertilization rates and embryo quality. Although the TTLB was longer in the CC cotreatment group, the CLBR per initial cycle (41.07% vs. 45.33%, p = 0.269) and delivery outcomes were similar between the two groups at the 24 months follow-up. Additionally, the average cost per live birth in the CC cotreatment group was 21.27% lower than in the GnRHa group (¥32,301.42 vs. ¥39,174.22). In conclusion, for women older than 35 years undergoing IVF, the CC cotreatment protocol offered a comparable CLBR to the GnRHa protocol but with reduced costs, indicating its potential as a viable and cost-effective ovarian stimulation option.Clinical trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/ , identifier [ChiCTR2300076537].

Ceiling effect of clomiphene citrate on the testosterone to estradiol ratio in eugonadal infertile men.

INTRODUCTION: The testosterone to estradiol ratio (T/E2 ratio) reportedly exerts a stronger effect on semen quality and sexual desire than does testosterone alone. Clomiphene citrate is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has long been used as an empirical treatment option in the management of idiopathic oligozoospermia. Clomiphene may change the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis and result in the alteration of the T/E2 ratio. No reliable data are available regarding the change in the T/E2 ratio after clomiphene use in eugonadism. METHODS: This study included 24 male patients who were diagnosed with idiopathic infertility with eugonadism. They all received clomiphene citrate (25 mg/day) as empirical treatment. Blood tests for serum testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone were performed before and after 4 weeks of clomiphene use. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate the significance of the hormone level change. RESULTS: Overall, the patients' T/E2 ratio did not increase significantly after clomiphene use. In the subgroup analysis, the T/E2 ratio of patients with a baseline ratio of <200 increased significantly after clomiphene use. CONCLUSIONS: Clomiphene citrate may significantly increase the T/E2 ratio in eugonadal men under the premise of its ceiling effect (T/E2 ratio < 200), providing practitioners with guidance on the use of clomiphene in this demographic.

Application of Pulsed Rhythmic Drug Administration to Ovulation Induction Therapy in PCOS Patients with Clomiphene-Resistance: a Retrospective Research.

There is currently a dispute over the choice of ovulation induction treatment for infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The objective of this study is to compare the therapeutic effect of pulsed rhythmic administration protocol (PRAP) with conventional letrozole + human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) in patients with clomiphene-resistance polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A retrospective analysis of 821 intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles between January 2015 and January 2020 was performed. Of these, 483 cycles were treated with a pulsed rhythmic administration protocol (PRAP), and 338 cycles were treated with conventional letrozole + HMG protocol (LHP). The therapeutic effect of the two protocols has been compared. The pregnancy rate was 18.07% in the LHP and 27.07% in the PRAP. The ongoing pregnancy rate in LHP was 14.46% and in PRAP was 22.73%. The research suggests that PRAP is more effective than LHP and could be an adequate ovulation induction strategy for the IUI cycle of patients with clomiphene-resistance PCOS.

Does the additional use of clomiphene citrate or letrozole for in vitro fertilization deserve more attention?

BACKGROUND: Adding clomiphene citrate (CC) and/or letrozole (LE) to in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles for mild ovarian stimulation is a general approach. Although lots of researches have demonstrated partial benefits of the strategy, all-around effects of oral medications remained deficient. This paper aims to assess whether an addition of oral medication will result in considerable outcomes on T-Gn (total dose of gonadotropin), Gn days, total retrieved ova, high quality embryos, blastocyst number, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate, clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative pregnancy rate, even if it was not conventional mild/minimal stimulations. RESULTS: Participants were categorized to three diverse populations as high responders, normal responders and poor responders according to basal antral follicle count. T-Gn in patients treated with CC/LE distinctly decreased from 2496.96 IU/d to 1827.68 IU/d, from 2860.28 IU/d to 2119.99 IU/d, and from 3182.15 IU/d to 1802.84 IU/d, respectively. For high ovary responders and normal responders, the OHSS incidence rate also declined from 29.2 to 4.3% (P < 0.001) and from 1.1 to 0.0% (P = 0.090). Other, there was no statistical difference with respect to the T-retrieved ova (total retrieved ova), high quality embryos, cultured blastocyst and blastocyst number in high responders. For normal responders and poor ovary responders, T-Gn, Gn days, T-retrieved ova, high quality embryos, cultured blastocyst and blastocysts number in oral medications group all apparently decreased. Clinical pregnancy rate per fresh cycle of poor responders with prior oral medications was significantly decreased (25.7% vs. 50.8%, P = 0.005), and no significant differences in high responders and normal responders were expressed (52.5% vs. 44.2%, P = 0.310; 51.9% vs. 42.4%, P = 0.163) between two groups of participants. The numbers of cumulative pregnancy rates were lower in the conventional group compared to the add group for high (75.90% versus 81.03%, P = 0.279), normal (62.69% versus 71.36%, P = 0.016) and poor (39.74% versus 68.21%, P < 0.001) responders. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of CC/LE to the ovulation induction during IVF has certain efficacy in terms of low cost, low OHSS incidence. CC/LE deserves more recommendations as a responsible strategy in high responders due to advantageous pregnancy outcomes. For normal responders, the strategy needs to be considered with more comprehensive factors.

Anabolic steroid use and ischaemic stroke in a young fitness enthusiast.

We report a case of ischaemic stroke in a 34-year-old male recreational bodybuilder following a 3-month period of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use and 1-month period of 'post-cycle therapy' (tamoxifen and clomiphene citrate), the latter treatments aimed at restoring normal endogenous testosterone production after initial AAS use. We hypothesise a transient drug-related prothrombotic state with paradoxical embolisation via an atrial septal defect which was later found on bubble echocardiogram. We highlight a rare but important cause of stroke in younger patients which is relevant given the increasing use of AAS misuse among casual fitness enthusiasts. We explore the various possible mechanisms by which AAS use can increase ischaemic stroke risk in such patients.

Endometrial thickness after ovarian stimulation with gonadotropin, clomiphene, or letrozole for unexplained infertility, and association with treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of endometrial thickness (EMT) with live birth rates (LBR) in ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination (OS-IUI) treatments for unexplained infertility. DESIGN: Prospective cohort analysis of the Reproductive Medicine Network's Assessment of Multiple Intrauterine Gestations from Ovarian Stimulation (AMIGOS) randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Multicenter randomized controlled trial. PATIENTS: A total of 868 couples with unexplained infertility (n=2,459 cycles). INTERVENTIONS: OS-IUI treatment cycles (n = 2,459) as part of the AMIGOS clinical trial. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Live birth rates; unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (RR) for live birth by EMT category, calculated using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: The overall mean EMT on day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration in cycles with a live birth was significantly greater than in those without. Compared to the referent EMT group of 9 to 12 mm, the unadjusted RR for live birth for the EMT groups of ≤5 and 6-8 were 0.48 and 0.92, respectively. The test for trend indicated evidence of decreasing LBR with decreasing EMT. After adjustment for ovarian stimulation medication, a linear trend was no longer supported. Stratified analyses revealed no differences in associations by treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: In OS-IUI for unexplained infertility, higher LBR are observed with increasing EMT; however, EMT is not significantly associated with LBR when adjusted for OS treatment type. Appreciable LBR are seen at all EMT, even those of ≤5 mm, suggesting that OS-IUI cycles should not be canceled for thin endometrium. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01044862.

Letrozole versus clomiphene citrate for ovulation induction in anovulatory women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of letrozole and clomiphene citrate (CC) for ovulation induction in infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: In this assessor blind, randomized controlled trial, 90 infertile women with PCOS were randomized to receive either letrozole or CC for ovulation induction in incremental doses for a maximum of three cycles. Main outcome measures studied were endometrial thickness, ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, rate of monofollicular development, and time to conception. RESULTS: Mean endometrial thicknesses were 9.86 ± 2.32 mm and 9.39 ± 2.06 mm with letrozole and CC, respectively (P=0.751). Cumulative ovulation rates were 86.7% and 85.2% with letrozole and CC, respectively (P=0.751). Pregnancy was achieved in 42.2% of women in the letrozole group and 20.0% of women in the CC group (P=0.04). Monofollicular development was seen in 68.4% of ovulatory cycles in the letrozole group compared with 44.8% in the CC group (P=0.000). Mean time to achieve pregnancy was significantly shorter (log rank P=0.042) with letrozole (9.65 weeks) than with CC (11.07 weeks). CONCLUSION: Letrozole is a better alternative for ovulation induction in anovulatory women with PCOS as pregnancy rates are higher, time to pregnancy is shorter, and chances of multiple pregnancy are less because of high monofollicular growth.

Progestin-Primed Ovarian Stimulation with Clomiphene Citrate Supplementation May Be More Feasible for Young Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve Compared with Standard Progestin-Primed Ovarian Stimulation: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: The present study was designed to compare the efficiency of the progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol with clomiphene citrate (CC) supplementation (PPOS+CC) and the standard PPOS protocol for women of different ages with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 364 DOR women who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation with PPOS+CC (n = 223) or standard PPOS (n = 141). They were divided into subgroups based on age: ≤35 years and >35 years. Differences in baseline characteristics, ovarian stimulation characteristics, endocrinological characteristics, and clinical outcome between the two groups were assessed. Statistical analyses were stratified by age. RESULTS: In all women with DOR, PPOS+CC was associated with a lower percentage of women with profound pituitary suppression than standard PPOS (0.0% vs 18.6%, P < 0.001 and 1.3% vs 11.0%, P = 0.002). In young women with DOR, more high-quality cleavage-stage embryos were harvested (1.96 vs 1.38, P = 0.018) and a lower dosage of gonadotropin per oocyte retrieved was required (558.37 vs 909.82, P = 0.036) in PPOS+CC. In older women with DOR, PPOS+CC led to an increase in the incidence of luteinizing hormone (LH) surge levels above 10 IU/L on trigger day (12.7% vs 4.9%, P = 0.028) and a decrease in the rate of oocyte maturation (84.7% vs 89.9%, P = 0.034) compared to standard PPOS. CONCLUSION: Clomiphene citrate is an effective adjuvant to alleviate pituitary suppression in PPOS protocols; for young women with DOR, CC supplementation had a positive impact on the number of high-quality embryos. However, older women with DOR would be at risk of developing a premature LH surge and having poor oocyte maturation rate under the PPOS+CC protocol.

Optimal lead follicle size for human chorionic gonadotropin trigger in clomiphene citrate and intrauterine insemination cycles: an analysis of 1,676 treatment cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the optimal lead follicle size for hCG trigger in clomiphene citrate (CC)-intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: University-affiliated center. PATIENT(S): Patients <40 years of age with ovulatory dysfunction or unexplained infertility undergoing their first CC-IUI cycle. INTERVENTION(S): Ovulation induction, hCG trigger, and IUI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) was the primary outcome and was plotted against lead follicle size in increments of 1 mm. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for associations between lead follicle size and CPR were calculated from a multivariable logistic regression model. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated for CPR as a function of lead follicle size. RESULT(S): 1,676 cycles were included. The overall CPR was 13.8% (232/1,676). There was no difference in baseline demographics or ovulation induction parameters of patients who did or did not conceive. The odds of clinical pregnancy were 2.3 and 2.2 times higher with lead follicle sizes of 21.1-22.0 mm and >22.0 mm, respectively, compared with the referent category of 19.1-20.0 mm. Lead follicle size was an independent predictor of CPR, even after accounting for confounders. A lead follicle size of 22.1 mm corresponded to a sensitivity and specificity of 80.1% and 90.4% for clinical pregnancy, respectively, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.89. CONCLUSION(S): hCG administration at a lead follicle size of 21.1-22.0 mm is associated with higher odds of clinical pregnancy in patients undergoing their first CC-IUI cycles for ovulatory dysfunction or unexplained infertility.

Anti-Müllerian hormone is correlated with cumulative live birth in minimal ovarian stimulation with clomiphene citrate: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have investigated the correlation between the serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in controlled ovarian stimulation cycles; however, studies regarding the correlation of the serum AMH level with IVF outcomes in minimal ovarian stimulation cycles remain limited. In this study, we aimed to analyze the correlation of the serum AMH level with ovarian responsiveness, embryonic outcomes, and cumulative live birth rates in clomiphene citrate (CC)-based minimal ovarian stimulation cycles. METHODS: Clinical records of 689 women whose entire ovarian stimulation regimen consisted solely of minimal stimulation cycle IVF using CC alone from November 2017 to October 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The association between IVF outcomes and the serum AMH level before the initiation of the first fertility treatment was analyzed. Furthermore, the correlation of the serum AMH level with cumulative live birth rates after IVF treatment was assessed. The Cochran-Armitage test, Pearson's chi-squared test, Spearman rank correlation test, Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance, logistic regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The serum AMH level positively correlated with the number of retrieved oocytes, blastocyst formation rate, blastocyst cryopreservation rate, and live birth rate per oocyte retrieval in CC-based minimal ovarian stimulation cycles without any exogenous gonadotropin administration. Furthermore, the cumulative live birth rate and treatment period required for conceiving were strongly associated with the serum AMH level at the initiation of fertility treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A low serum AMH level correlated with low ovarian responsiveness, impaired pre-implantation embryonic development, and decreased cumulative live birth rate in CC-based minimal ovarian stimulation cycles. Therefore, the cycle success rate would be predicted by measuring the serum AMH level in minimal ovarian stimulation with CC alone.

Endometrial preparation for women undergoing embryo transfer with frozen embryos or embryos derived from donor oocytes.

BACKGROUND: A frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle is when one or more embryos (frozen during a previous treatment cycle) are thawed and transferred to the uterus. Some women undergo fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles with embryos derived from donated oocytes. In both situations, the endometrium is primed with oestrogen and progestogen in different doses and routes of administration. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the most effective endometrial preparation for women undergoing transfer with frozen embryos or embryos from donor oocytes with regard to the subsequent live birth rate (LBR). SEARCH METHODS: The Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group trials register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, LILACS, trials registers and abstracts of reproductive societies' meetings were searched in June 2020 together with reference checking and contact with study authors and experts in the field to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating endometrial preparation in women undergoing fresh donor cycles and frozen embryo transfers. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures recommended by Cochrane. We analysed all available interventions versus placebo, no treatment, or between each other. The primary review outcome was live birth rate. Secondary outcomes were clinical and multiple pregnancy, miscarriage, cycle cancellation, endometrial thickness and adverse effects. MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-one RCTs (5426 women) were included. Evidence was moderate to very low-quality: the main limitations were serious risk of bias due to poor reporting of methods, and serious imprecision. Stimulated versus programmed cycle We are uncertain whether a letrozole-stimulated cycle compared to a programmed cycle, for endometrial preparation, improves LBR (odds ratio (OR) 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49 to 3.26; 100 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence). Stimulating with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), letrozole or clomiphene citrate may improve clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.38; 656 participants; five studies; I2 = 11%; low-quality evidence). We are uncertain if they reduce miscarriage rate (MR) (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.71; 355 participants; three studies; I2 = 0%; very low-quality evidence). Endometrial thickness (ET) may be reduced with clomiphene citrate (mean difference(MD) -1.04, 95% CI -1.59 to -0.49; 92 participants; one study; low-quality evidence). Other outcomes were not reported. Natural versus programmed cycle We are uncertain of the effect from a natural versus programmed cycle for LBR (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.28; 1285 participants; four studies; I2 = 0%; very low-quality evidence) and CPR (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.01; 1249 participants; five studies; I2 = 60%; very low-quality evidence), while a natural cycle probably reduces the cycle cancellation rate (CCR) (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.82; 734 participants; one study; moderate-quality evidence). We are uncertain of the effect on MR and ET. No study reported other outcomes. Transdermal versus oral oestrogens From low-quality evidence we are uncertain of the effect transdermal compared to oral oestrogens has on CPR (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.25; 504 participants; three studies; I2 = 58%) or MR (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.09; 414 participants; two studies; I2 = 0%). Other outcomes were not reported. Day of starting administration of progestogen When doing a fresh ET using donated oocytes in a synchronised cycle starting progestogen on the day of oocyte pick-up (OPU) or the day after OPU, in comparison with recipients that start progestogen the day prior to OPU, probably increases the CPR (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.08; 282 participants; one study, moderate-quality evidence). We are uncertain of the effect on multiple pregnancy rate (MPR) or MR. It probably reduces the CCR (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.74; 282 participants; one study; moderate-quality evidence). No study reported other outcomes. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist versus control A cycle with GnRH agonist compared to without may improve LBR (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.19 to 5.78; 234 participants; one study; low-quality evidence). From low-quality evidence we are uncertain of the effect on CPR (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.43; 1289 participants; eight studies; I2 = 20%), MR (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.36 to 2.00; 828 participants; four studies; I2 = 0%), CCR (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.17; 530 participants; two studies; I2 = 0%) and ET (MD -0.08, 95% CI -0.33 to 0.16; 697 participants; four studies; I2 = 4%). No study reported other outcomes. Among different GnRH agonists From very low-quality evidence we are uncertain if cycles among different GnRH agonists improves CPR or MR. No study reported other outcomes. GnRH agonists versus GnRH antagonists GnRH antagonists compared to agonists probably improves CPR (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.90; 473 participants; one study; moderate-quality evidence). We are uncertain of the effect on MR and MPR. No study reported other outcomes. Aspirin versus control From very low-quality evidence we are uncertain whether a cycle with aspirin versus without improves LBR, CPR, or ET. Steroids versus control From very low-quality evidence we are uncertain whether a cycle with steroids compared to without improves LBR, CPR or MR. No study reported other outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence on the use of any particular intervention for endometrial preparation in women undergoing fresh donor cycles and frozen embryo transfers. In frozen embryo transfers, low-quality evidence showed that clinical pregnancy rates may be improved in a stimulated cycle compared to a programmed one, and we are uncertain of the effect when comparing a programmed cycle to a natural cycle. Cycle cancellation rates are probably reduced in a natural cycle. Although administering a GnRH agonist, compared to without, may improve live birth rates, clinical pregnancy rates will probably be improved in a GnRH antagonist cycle over an agonist cycle. In fresh synchronised oocyte donor cycles, the clinical pregnancy rate is probably improved and cycle cancellation rates are probably reduced when starting progestogen the day of or day after donor oocyte retrieval. Adequately powered studies are needed to evaluate each treatment more accurately.

Efficacy of clomifene citrate for the treatment of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A protocol of systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of clomifene citrate (CC) for the treatment of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: In this study, we will comprehensively search MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, ACMD, PsycINFO, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for original articles published from their inceptions to the January 1, 2020 without language restrictions. All studies will undergo relevance and a design selecting process. Data from qualified studies will be collected by 2 independent authors. Additionally, we will conduct a risk of bias evaluation using a Cochrane risk of bias tool. We will undertake statistical analysis utilizing RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will summarize the up-to-date evidence to investigate the efficacy and safety of CC for the treatment of patients with PCOS. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will provide helpful evidence of CC for the treatment of patients with PCOS, as well as may help develop treatment guidelines. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42020162818.

Effects of the Fertility Drugs Clomiphene Citrate and Letrozole on Kiss-1 Expression in Hypothalamic Kiss-1-Expressing Cell Models.

Clomiphene citrate (CC) and letrozole stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and are used widely as oral fertility drugs to induce folliculogenesis. We examined whether these drugs increase Kiss-1 expression in hypothalamic cell models. We utilized two hypothalamic cell models, mHypoA-50 and mHypoA-55, which originated from Kiss-1 neurons in the anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nucleus and arcuate (ARC) nucleus of the mouse hypothalamus, respectively. The cells were stimulated with CC or letrozole, after which Kiss-1 mRNA expression was determined. CC stimulated Kiss-1 gene expression in mHypoA-50 and mHypoA-55 cells. The basal expression of Kiss-1 was significantly increased in the presence of estradiol (E2) in mHypoA-50 cells, and the CC-induced increase in Kiss-1 expression was not observed in the presence of E2 in these cells. In contrast, E2 did not modify the basal expression of Kiss-1 in mHypoA-55 cells, and CC-induced Kiss-1 expression was still observed in the presence of E2. The significant increase in Kiss-1 gene expression in mHypoA-50 and mHypoA-55 cells was blunted in the presence of estrogen receptor antagonists. Aromatase was expressed in mHypoA-50 and mHypoA-55 cells. Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, increased Kiss-1 expression in mHypoA-55 ARC cells but not in mHypoA-50 AVPV cells. Although the basal expression of Kiss-1 was increased by E2, letrozole did not modulate Kiss-1 expression in mHypoA-50 cells. Letrozole-induced Kiss-1 gene expression in mHypoA-55 cells was not modulated in the presence of E2. The fertility drugs CC and letrozole modulated Kiss-1 expression in hypothalamic cell models.

Gonadotropins versus oral ovarian stimulation agents for unexplained infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare live birth and multiple gestation in patients diagnosed with unexplained infertility undergoing intrauterine insemination after ovarian stimulation (OS-IUI) with oral medications versus gonadotropins. DESIGN: Systemic review and meta-analysis. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Patients undergoing OS-IUI for treatment of unexplained infertility. INTERVENTION(S): Clomiphene, letrozole, or gonadotropins for OS-IUI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Live birth and multiple gestation. RESULT(S): Eight total trials were identified that met the inclusion criteria and comprised 2,989 patients undergoing 6,590 cycles. One study reported a significant increase in both live births and multiple gestations with the use of gonadotropins, two studies found an increased likelihood of live birth with the use of gonadotropins, and two studies found an increased risk of twins with gonadotropins. The relative risk of live birth in subjects receiving gonadotropins was 1.09. The relative risk of multiple gestation in subjects receiving gonadotropins was 1.06. Clinical pregnancy was higher in protocols with lax cancellation policies or higher gonadotropin doses, with subsequent increased relative risks of multiple gestations of 1.20 and 1.15, respectively. Singleton births per subject were similar between the two groups. The results did not change in per-protocol, per cycle, or fixed-effect model sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION(S): For every birth gained with the use of gonadotropins, a similar increased risk of multiple gestation occurs. The randomized data do not support the use of gonadotropin for OS-IUI in women with unexplained infertility. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Prospero CRD4201911998.

Letrozole Versus Clomiphene Citrate and Natural Cycle: Endometrial Receptivity During Implantation Window in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Objective: Numerous studies have reported on ovulation and pregnancy rates in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, relevant data on endometrial receptivity are limited. This study was conducted to compare endometrial receptivity during implantation windows among letrozole (LE), clomiphene citrate (CC), and natural cycle, and to assess the predictive value for pregnancy of observed indicators. Methods: This randomized controlled trial study enrolled 270 patients with PCOS. Patients were given LE (n=90) at a dose of 2.5mg/day or CC (n=90) at a dose of 50 mg/day on cycle days 5-9 for ovulation induction. Patients in the natural cycle group (n=90) did not receive any drug for ovulation induction. Endometrial ultrasonic parameters, integrin αvß3, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations in uterine secretion were detected during the implantation window. The endometrial receptivity, ovulation rate, pregnancy rates, and predictive value of observed indicators for pregnancy were analyzed. Results: The successful ovulation rate did not differ between the LE group and CC group (P>0.05). Endometrial ultrasonic parameters [endometrial thickness (ET), endometrial volume (EV), vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), vascularization flow index (VFI)], integrin αvß3, and VEGF concentrations in uterine fluid were significantly higher in the LE group compared with the CC group and natural cycle group (P<0.05). The clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates of the LE group were significantly higher than in the CC group (P<0.05). Endometrial ultrasonic parameters (VI, FI, and VFI), integrin αvß3, and VEGF concentrations in uterine fluid of all pregnancy groups were significantly higher compared with the no pregnancy group (P<0.05), and the above parameters in ongoing pregnancy were significantly higher than in biochemical pregnancy (P<0.05). The endometrial FI during the implantation window had the highest predictive value for pregnancy (AUC=0.889). The integrin αvß3 in uterine fluid had better predictive value (AUC=0.876) than VEGF. Conclusions: Endometrial receptivity during the implantation window of LE is superior to CC in PCOS women, which may be related to higher clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates. Endometrial FI examined by 3-D power Doppler, and integrin αvß3 in uterine secretion during the implantation window, could be preferable non-invasive predictor markers for pregnancy. Clinical Trial Registration: www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR1900023423.

Success rates in minimal stimulation cycle IVF with clomiphene citrate only.

PURPOSE: To determine age-adjusted overall success rates for patients undergoing clomiphene citrate only minimal stimulation cycle (mini) in vitro fertilization (IVF) without any gonadotropin administration. METHODS: Eight hundred thirty-nine women (mean age: 38.4 ± 0.1 years; 2488 cycles) underwent clomiphene citrate only mini-IVF. Their first oocyte retrieval was between January 2009 and December 2009, with follow-up until December 2014. The cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) per oocyte retrieval cycle started and live birth rate per oocyte was retrospectively analyzed. The basic CLBR was calculated as the number of women who achieved a live birth divided by the total number of women who started oocyte retrieval. RESULTS: The mean number of oocytes retrieved was 1.5. The basic CLBRs for all ages after the first and third cycles were 22.6% and 39.2%, respectively. For ≤ 34 years, 35-37 years, 38-40 years, 41-42 years, and ≥ 43 years, CLBRs after the first and third cycles were 42.5% and 70.1%, 32.9% and 49.1%, 20.0% and 38.6%, 12.6% and 25.2%, and 4.4% and 8.8%, respectively. These rates had a significant relationship with age (P < 0.01). The LBR per oocyte for all ages was 9.6%. CONCLUSION: Acceptable overall IVF success rates can be achieved in clomiphene citrate only mini-IVF, as well as acceptable LBR. The CLBRs and LBRs per oocyte are evidently influenced by women's age.

Effect of clomiphene citrate treatment on the Sertoli cells of dysmetabolic obese men with low testosterone levels.

BACKGROUND: Clomiphene citrate (CC) has been shown to restore the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by increasing testosterone (T) levels to physiological levels in patients with dysmetabolic conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the data are unclear regarding the effects on Sertoli cell (SC) function. AIM: To study SC function by assessing Inhibin B (IB) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels at baseline and after 3 months of CC treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an ancillary study of a cross-over, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial performed to evaluate androgen response to CC treatment in dysmetabolic obese subjects with low T levels treated with metformin. We evaluated SC function by assessing IB and AMH levels at baseline and after 3 months of each treatment in ten dysmetabolic obese subjects with low T levels. In all subjects, the influence of the clinical characteristics, metabolic and hormonal baseline parameters on SC and Leydig (LC) function, evaluated respectively with AMH, IB, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and T levels, was tested. RESULTS: No significant changes were observed for IB and AMH concentrations after each treatment period. Whereas T and oestradiol (E2) levels were shown to be significantly higher in the CC plus metformin phase (CC/Met) only. No clinical, metabolic or hormonal parameters showed significant effects on serum AMH at baseline or after treatments. However, baseline T, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and E2 positively affected IB levels during CC/Met therapy (P = .003, P = .038 and P = .049, respectively). Baseline leptin and FSH had a negative (P = 031) and positive (P = .048) respectively role on T levels during CC/Met, as they were statistically significant compared to the placebo period (Plac/Met). CONCLUSION: Unlike the LC activity, CC was unable to influence SC function, as shown by the lack of IB and AMH serum modifications, thus suggesting an intrinsic nonreversible defect of SC cells in patients with dysmetabolic conditions.

Can clomiphene citrate resistance be predicted by RDW-CV levels in infertile women with PCOS?

OBJECTIVE: To identify whether red blood cell distribution width coefficient of variation (RDW-CV) and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels can predict clomiphene citrate resistance (CC-R) in infertile, anovulatory females with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: A total of 89 infertile patients who were admitted to a tertiary center diagnosed with non-obese PCOS were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the first group comprised 53 non-obese patients with PCOS and CC-R, and the second group included 36 non-obese patients with PCOS and CC-S. RDW-CV, RDW-SD, and MPV values, along with routine whole blood count parameters were compared between the groups. RESULTS: RDW-CV values were found to be significantly higher in the patients with CC-R compared to those with CC-S (P < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were found to be 69%, 58.1%, 34.5%, and 12.5%, respectively, at an RDW-CV level of 12.85. The odds ratio was calculated as 3.077 (95% CI 1.245-7.603) in terms of the cut-off point. CONCLUSION: We think that RDW-CV which is a marker of inflammation is a simple, cheap, and accessible marker for the prediction of CC resistance.

Relationship between seasons and pregnancy rates during intrauterine insemination. A historical cohort.

BACKGROUND: The underlying cause of seasonal infertility in humans is unclear, but is likely to be -multifactorial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to compare the pregnancy rates among infertile women who underwent induced ovulation and intrauterine insemination (IUI) with the season in which the fertility treatment was performed. DESIGN AND SETTING: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 466 patients who were treated in the reproductive endocrinology and infertility outpatient clinic of a tertiary-level women's healthcare and maternity hospital. METHODS: Retrospective demographic, hormonal and ultrasonographic data were obtained from the patients' medical records. Clomiphene citrate or gonadotropin medications were used for induced ovulation. The patients were divided into four groups according to the season (spring, winter, autumn and summer) in which fertility treatment was received. Clinical pregnancy rates were calculated and compared between these four groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the seasonal groups in terms of age, infertility type, ovarian reserve tests, duration of infertility, medications used or length of stimulation. A total of 337 patients (72.3%) were treated with clomiphene citrate and 129 (27.7%) with gonadotropin; no significant difference between these two groups was observed. The clinical pregnancy rates for the spring, winter, autumn and summer groups were 15.6% (n = 24), 8.6% (n = 9), 11.5% (n = 13) and 7.4% (n = 7), respectively (P = 0.174). CONCLUSIONS: Although the spring group had the highest pregnancy rate, the rates of successful IUI did not differ significantly between the seasonal groups.