Ovarian stromal blood flow following clomiphene citrate challenge test in infertile women.
OBJECTIVE
To compare ovarian stromal blood flow indices in the follicular phase and after clomiphene citrate (CC) in infertile women.


METHODS
Pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and peak systolic blood flow velocity (PSV) of ovarian stromal vessels were determined by spectral Doppler analysis in the early follicular phase and on day 10 after CC. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol concentrations were determined.


RESULTS
A total of 69 infertile women were included in the analysis. No significant differences in the average PI, RI, and PSV of ovarian stromal blood flow were demonstrated in the follicular phase and after CC despite a significant increase in serum estradiol concentration after CC. Serum FSH concentration was similar in the follicular phase and after CC, while serum LH concentration was significantly higher after CC. In the right ovary, ovarian stromal blood flow was absent in 13 (18.8%) patients in the follicular phase and in 6 (8.7%) patients after CC, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. In the left ovary, ovarian stromal blood flow was absent in 13 (18.8%) and 12 (17.4%) patients in the follicular phase and after CC, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Ovarian stromal blood flow indices were similar in the follicular phase and after CC.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, 6/F, Professorial Block, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
Ernest Hung Yu
EH
Ng
Oi Shan
OS
Tang
Carina Chi Wai
CC
Chan
Pak Chung
PC
Ho
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002996:Clomiphene; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D002996:Clomiphene; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone