title: Effects of pioglitazone on ovarian stromal blood flow, ovarian stimulation, and in vitro fertilization outcome in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of pioglitazone on ovarian stimulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome, and intraovarian stromal blood flow in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated infertility clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty infertile patients with PCOS resistant to clomiphene citrate.
  
  
  METHODS
  An IVF protocol involving use of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist and oral contraceptive pretreatment. Patients were randomized into two groups: pioglitazone (30 mg daily) in the study group or placebo in the control group, commenced on the day on which oral contraceptive intake began.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ovarian stimulation, IVF outcome, and resistance index of the intraovarian stromal artery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The resistance index value on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection in the study group was statistically significantly higher in the study group than in controls. The serum estradiol level and number of retrieved oocytes were statistically significantly lower in women treated with pioglitazone. However, the number of mature oocytes and fertilized oocytes, and the clinical pregnancy rate were similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pioglitazone therapy reduced intraovarian stromal blood flow and might be beneficial in improving both the response to ovarian stimulation and IVF outcome in PCOS patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea. chnkim@amc.seoul.kr
authors.forename: Chung-Hoon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Gyun-Ho
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: So-Ra
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hee-Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Byung-Moon
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kang