Follicular and endocrine response to anastrozole versus clomiphene citrate administered in follicular phase to normoovulatory women: a randomized comparison.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect on follicular growth and endocrine parameters of follicular phase administration of anastrozole to healthy, normoovulatory women in doses of 1 or 5 mg, respectively, with the conventional dosing regimen for ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate (CC).


METHODS
Randomized, assessor-blinded, single-center, three-armed study.


METHODS
University-affiliated, tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Thirty-two, normoovulatory, normogonadotropic women.


METHODS
Administration of anastrozole 1 mg (group A1), anastrozole 5 mg (group A5), or CC 50 mg (group CC50) from cycle days 3 to 7.


METHODS
Number of follicles >or=15 mm and >or=10 mm on the day of the endogenous LH surge.


RESULTS
The mean number of follicles >or=15 mm on the day of LH surge was 1.4 +/- 0.5, 1.0 +/- 0.4, and 0.8 +/- 0.4 in groups CC50, A1, and A5, respectively, which was statistically significant. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference between groups was found for the size of the growing follicular cohort (follicles >or=10 mm) on cycle days 8 and 10 and on the day of LH surge. The area under the curve (adjusted for baseline values on cycle day 3 and time frame of assessment) of follicular phase E(2) levels was significantly different among the groups that were compared (223.0 +/- 97.5, 69.2 +/- 40.0, and 83.4 +/- 36.4 for groups CC50, A1, and A5, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
CC 50 mg exerts a stronger stimulatory effect on follicular growth compared with anastrozole in doses of 1 or 5 mg. Anastrozole administration results in lower follicular phase E(2) levels.
Griesinger
Georg
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinic of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany. georg.griesinger@frauenklinik.uni-luebeck.de
von Otte
Sören
S
Schultze-Mosgau
Askan
A
Diedrich
Klaus
K
Schröer
Andreas
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000077384:Anastrozole; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D014230:Triazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D014230:Triazoles; D002996:Clomiphene; D000077384:Anastrozole; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone