Studies on the Anti-Oestrogenic and Oestrogen-Like Action of Clomiphene Citrate in Women

Abstract

The experiments dealed with the regulatory action of clomiphene citrate on the FSH and LH serum levels in women of different endocrine state. The radioimmunologically obtained data can be summarized as follows: (1) In adult women with an eugonadotropic ovarian insufficiencyclomiphene stimulates the FSH- and LH-secretion during treatment, which is followed by a plasma profile comparable to that of normal cycles. This effect probably is due to the antioestrogenic property of the substance. In postmenopausal women with the typical high gonadotropin and low oestrogen levels, clomiphene displays – independent of the treatment schedule and the dose given – only an oestrogenic action, recognizable by the suppression of the FSH- and LH-plasma values. The finding of a plasma gondotropin increase after clomiphene administration in some postmenopausal women with unusual oestrogen excretion indicates that the regulatory effect of the substance mainly depends on the endogenous oestrogen level. Finally a model is given for the possible mode of action of clomiphene in stimulated ovulatory cycles.