Effect of clomiphene citrate on follicular and luteal phase luteinizing hormone concentrations in in vitro fertilization cycles stimulated with gonadotropins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect that clomiphene citrate exerts on luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in gonadotropin/gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist cycles.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Two groups of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) were compared. In group I, 20 patients were stimulated with clomiphene citrate (CC) in combination with gonadotropins and 0.25 mg of Cetrorelix (ASTA Medica AG; Frankfurt am Main, Germany) and in group II, 20 patients were stimulated with gonadotropins and 0.25 mg of Cetrorelix.


METHODS
Blood sampling was performed in the late follicular, periovulatory, early, mid, and late luteal phases.


METHODS
Luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and progesterone.


RESULTS
LH levels were significantly higher in group I than in group II on all the days studied. Progesterone serum concentrations were significantly higher in group II in the early luteal phase, but not in the follicular or the middle and late luteal phases.


CONCLUSIONS
LH concentrations are significantly higher in the follicular and luteal phases in cycles stimulated with CC, despite GnRH antagonist administration. This observation might have implications for the dose of GnRH antagonist needed to suppress LH in the follicular phase and questions the need for luteal-phase supplementation in cycles in which CC was used.
Tavaniotou
Asimina
A
Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Dutch-Speaking Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium. mtavaniotou@hotmail.com
Albano
Carola
C
Smitz
Johan
J
Devroey
Paul
P
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D006062:Gonadotropins; D002996:Clomiphene; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C062876:cetrorelix