Pituitary Gonadotrophic and Ovarian Function in Women Treated with Clomiphene Citrate

Abstract

Serial estimations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), as well as of oestrogens and pregnanediol have been performed in the urine of 5 women suffering from a variety of gynaecological conditions associated with infertility who were treated with clomiphene citrate at different dose levels. One subject became pregnant following medication; in the other 4 evidence for ovulation was present in one and was at best equivocal in the remaining 3. The effect of the compound on urinary FSH and LH levels was variable as was the pattern of urinary steroid excretion following medication; in 2 subjects a rise of oestrogen output preceded that of LH excretion. The study confirms previous observations indicating that atypical luteal function may follow clomiphene administration and underlines the fact that wide variations of hormonal response to the compound can occur.