Action of MER-25 and of Clomiphene on the Human Ovary

Abstract

IT APPEARS TO BE WELL ESTABLISHED that the synthetic nonsteroidal analogue of chlorotrianisene (Tace), which has been given the generic name of clomiphene citrate (MRL/41)*, is capable of stimulating ovarian secretory activity in women.^1-4 Perhaps the most convincing evidence for this is found in the high incidence of cystic ovaries observed among treated patients, together with the associated microscopic ovarian and endometrial changes, indicating that the cystic structures produced are functional.^2,3 The striking similarity between the histopathology of this response to clomiphene and the ovarian response to administered gonadotropins of both human and animal origin has been pointed out by Southam and Janovski.² With both forms of treatment, the degree of ovarian response to a given dosage appears to be unpredictable and all patterns of atypical stimulation have been observed. In view of this analogy, it has been logical to assume that the ovarian response