Comparison of the effects of letrozole and clomiphene citrate on ovarian follicles, endometrium, and hormone levels in the rat.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of letrozole and clomiphene citrate in the rat in terms of number of ovarian follicles; endometrial thickness; and serum levels of E2, FSH, LH, and T.


METHODS
Controlled prospective study.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Thirty sexually mature female Wistar-Albino rats that were 20 weeks of age.


METHODS
Letrozole, 5 mg/kg of body weight daily (10 rats); clomiphene citrate, 100 microg/kg daily (10 rats); or saline solution, 2 mL/d (10 rats). After 2 days, rats were euthanized and ovariectomized.


METHODS
Number of mature follicles, endometrial thickness, and serum levels of hormones.


RESULTS
Mean levels of FSH, LH, E2, and T; number of mature follicles; and ovary size differed among the groups, whereas the mean endometrial thickness did not differ.


CONCLUSIONS
In rats, the effect of letrozole on follicular maturation is similar to that of clomiphene citrate.
Kilic-Okman
Tulay
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey. ajlankilic@hotmail.com
Kucuk
Mustafa
M
Altaner
Semsi
S
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000077289:Letrozole; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012016:Reference Values; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014230:Triazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D002996:Clomiphene; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D000077289:Letrozole; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone