Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of clomiphene citrate [CC] co-administration during the use of exogenous low-dose urinary FSH [uFSH] for induction of ovulation in CC-resistant infertile PCOS women.
Methods
In a randomised controlled setting, 174 CC-resistant infertile PCOS women were randomized into two parallel groups; Group I received CC 100 mg/day for 5 days plus uFSH 37.5 IU/day while group II received only uFSH 37.5 IU /day. Subsequent increments of uFSH by 37.5 IU/day were made according to response. Primary outcome was ovulation rate. Secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rates, number of follicles, endometrial thickness, and gonadotropins consumption.
Results
Our results have demonstrated that group I compared to group II had significantly higher ovulation rate per intention to treat [ITT] [72.4 % vs. 34.2 %, p < 0.001]. Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were comparable between the two groups. Group I consumed significantly lower total FSH dose and needed significantly shorter stimulation duration compared to group II.
Conclusion
CC co-administered during low dose HP uFSH versus uFSH for CC-resistant PCOS yields significantly higher ovulation rate and less consumption of FSH.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the efforts of Ms Nessma, Mr Salah in endocrinology laboratory for their role in serum sample processing and storage. Also we thank the nursing staff and centre secretary for their efforts in patient cycle filing throughout the trial.
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MG was the principal investigator, designed the trial, wrote the protocol, managed the trial, recruited participants, interpreted the data and results, and wrote the first draft of the paper. LA advised on the study design and data analysis and helped to draft the paper. AG helped in the design and performing the statistical analysis, interpreted the data and results, and helped to draft the paper. MH and MES performed the biochemical assays. MH, AH and IB and YM recruited patients and entered data.
Trial registration number
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01212263
Capsule Clomiphene citrate and uFSH versus uFSH alone in clomiphene –resistant PCOS patients.
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Ghanem, M.E., Elboghdady, L.A., Hassan, M. et al. Clomiphene Citrate co-treatment with low dose urinary FSH versus urinary FSH for clomiphene resistant PCOS: randomized controlled trial. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 1477–1485 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0090-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0090-2