The effectiveness of clomiphene citrate in LH surge suppression in women undergoing IUI: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effectiveness of clomiphene citrate (CC) in preventing a premature LH surge during controlled ovarian stimulation in women undergoing assisted reproduction.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Two-hundred thirty couples with mild male factor, or unexplained infertility.


METHODS
Couples were randomized to receive human menopausal gonadotrophins (hMG) followed by CC or hMG alone until the day of hCG.


METHODS
The primary outcomes were the incidence of a clinical pregnancy and premature LH rise. Secondary outcomes were the E2 levels, number of mature follicles, and endometrial thickness as determined on the day of hCG.


RESULTS
The number of patients who had a premature LH surge was significantly lower in the hMG+CC group (5.45% vs. 15.89%). Additionally, the mean E2 levels (pg/mL) and the number of mature follicles were also significantly higher in the hMG+CC group (360.3±162.9 vs. 280±110.0 and 2.4±0.97 vs. 1.3±1.1, respectively), although there was no significant difference regarding number of canceled cycles, endometrial thickness, or clinical pregnancy rate.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of CC to hMG has been proven to be effective in reducing premature LH surges without compromising the pregnancy rate.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. kaainih@yahoo.com
Hesham
H
Al-Inany
Hamdy
H
Azab
Waleed
W
El-Khayat
Adel
A
Nada
Eman
E
El-Khattan
Ahmed M
AM
Abou-Setta
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D014599:Uterus
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D002996:Clomiphene; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone