title: A randomized comparison of ovulation induction and hormone profile between the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole and clomiphene citrate in women with infertility.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  IN the present study we evaluated and compared the effects of ovulation and hormonal dynamics induced by anastrozole and clomiphene citrate in women with infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three infertile patients, aged 25-41 years, were enrolled. Patients received either anastrozole 1 mg daily (AI group) or clomiphene citrate 100 mg daily (CC group) from cycle day 3 to day 7. Number of mature follicles (> or =18 mm), endometrial thickness, pregnancy rate and serial hormone profiles (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E(2)), testosterone and progesterone) were measured on cycle day 3, day 8, day 10, the day of intrauterine insemination (IUI), day 7 after IUI and day 14 after IUI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline parameters were similar in the two groups, including age, body mass index, infertility duration and day-3 serum hormones except FSH. The mean FSH value on day 3 was significantly different (4.3 mIU/ml in the AI group vs. 6.3 mIU/ml in the CC group; p < 0.05). The women receiving anastrozole had fewer ovulatory follicles (1.2 in the AI group vs. 1.8 in the CC group; p < 0.05) and a thicker endometrium (10.6 mm in the AI group vs. 7.8 mm in the CC group; p < 0.05). The levels of progesterone and testosterone were similar during ovulation stimulation cycles in both groups. On the other hand, the AI group had a significantly higher LH level but a significantly lower E(2) level in the stimulation cycle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anastrozole has a high pregnancy rate, although it induces fewer ovulatory follicles compared with clomiphene citrate. The two drugs gave different responses of FSH, LH and E2 during stimulation cycles.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
authors: Hsin-Hung
authors: HH
authors: Wu
authors: Nancy M
authors: NM
authors: Wang
authors: Min-Lin
authors: ML
authors: Cheng
authors: Jia-Ni
authors: JN
authors: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000077384:Anastrozole; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D002996:Clomiphene; D000077384:Anastrozole; D004958:Estradiol