1
|
Ling L, Xia D, Jin Y, Hong R, Wang J, Liang Y. Effect of follicle size on pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing first letrozole-intrauterine insemination. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:184. [PMID: 38500174 PMCID: PMC10949705 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01794-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Letrozole has been proven to be an effective method for inducing ovulation. However, little attention has been paid to whether the lead follicle size will affect the success rate of intrauterine insemination (IUI) with ovulation induction with alone letrozole. Therefore, we hope to investigate the effect of dominant follicle size on pregnancy outcomes on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) day of the first letrozole-IUI. METHODS A retrospective cohort study design was employed. We included patients with anovulation or unexplained infertility undergoing first IUI treatment with letrozole for ovarian stimulation. According to the dominant follicle size measured on the day of hCG trigger, patients were divided into six groups (≤ 18 mm, 18.1-19.0 mm, 19.1-20.0 mm, 20.1-21.0 mm, 21.1-22.0 mm, > 22 mm). Logistic models were used for estimating the odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence interval (CIs) for achieving a clinical pregnancy or a live birth. A restricted cubic spline was drawn to explore the nonlinear relationship between follicle size and IUI outcomes. RESULTS A total of 763 patients underwent first letrozole-IUI cycles in our study. Fisher exact test showed significant differences among the six follicle-size groups in the rates of pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and live birth (P < 0.05 in each group). After adjusting the potential confounding factors, compared with the follicles ≤ 18 mm in diameter group, 19.1-20.0 mm, 20.1-21.0 mm groups were 2.3 or 2.56 times more likely to get live birth [adjusted OR = 2.34, 95%CI (1.25-4.39); adjusted OR = 2.56, 95% CI (1.30-5.06)]. A restricted cubic spline showed an inverted U-shaped relationship between the size of dominant follicles and pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate, and the optimal follicle size range on the day of hCG trigger was 19.1-21.0 mm. When the E2 level on the day of hCG trigger was low than 200 pg/mL, the clinical pregnancy rates of 19.1-20.0 mm, 20.1-21.0 mm groups were still the highest. CONCLUSIONS The optimal dominant follicle size was between 19.1 and 21.0 mm in hCG-triggered letrozole-IUI cycles. Either too large or too small follicles may lead to a decrease in pregnancy rate. Using follicle size as a predicator of pregnancy outcomes is more meaningful when estrogen on the day of hCG trigger is less than 200 pg/ml.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Ling
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Xia
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yihan Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Renyun Hong
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanjiao Liang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Optimal lead follicle size for human chorionic gonadotropin trigger in clomiphene citrate and intrauterine insemination cycles: an analysis of 1,676 treatment cycles. Fertil Steril 2020; 115:984-990. [PMID: 33272641 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2017] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the optimal lead follicle size for hCG trigger in clomiphene citrate (CC)-intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING University-affiliated center. PATIENT(S) Patients <40 years of age with ovulatory dysfunction or unexplained infertility undergoing their first CC-IUI cycle. INTERVENTION(S) Ovulation induction, hCG trigger, and IUI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) was the primary outcome and was plotted against lead follicle size in increments of 1 mm. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for associations between lead follicle size and CPR were calculated from a multivariable logistic regression model. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated for CPR as a function of lead follicle size. RESULT(S) 1,676 cycles were included. The overall CPR was 13.8% (232/1,676). There was no difference in baseline demographics or ovulation induction parameters of patients who did or did not conceive. The odds of clinical pregnancy were 2.3 and 2.2 times higher with lead follicle sizes of 21.1-22.0 mm and >22.0 mm, respectively, compared with the referent category of 19.1-20.0 mm. Lead follicle size was an independent predictor of CPR, even after accounting for confounders. A lead follicle size of 22.1 mm corresponded to a sensitivity and specificity of 80.1% and 90.4% for clinical pregnancy, respectively, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.89. CONCLUSION(S) hCG administration at a lead follicle size of 21.1-22.0 mm is associated with higher odds of clinical pregnancy in patients undergoing their first CC-IUI cycles for ovulatory dysfunction or unexplained infertility.
Collapse
|
3
|
Gadalla MA, Huang S, Wang R, Norman RJ, Abdullah SA, El Saman AM, Ismail AM, van Wely M, Mol BWJ. Effect of clomiphene citrate on endometrial thickness, ovulation, pregnancy and live birth in anovulatory women: systematic review and meta-analysis. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2018; 51:64-76. [PMID: 29055102 DOI: 10.1002/uog.18933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the impact of clomiphene citrate (CC) vs other drug regimens on mid-cycle endometrial thickness (EMT), ovulation, pregnancy and live birth rates in women with World Health Organization (WHO) group II ovulatory disorders. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL) and the non-MEDLINE subset of PubMed from inception to December 2016 and cross-checked references of relevant articles. We included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CC used alone vs other drug regimens for ovulation induction in women with WHO group II anovulation. Outcomes were mid-cycle EMT, ovulation, pregnancy and live birth rates. We pooled weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for continuous variables (EMT) and risk ratios (RR) with 95% CI for binary variables (ovulation, pregnancy and live birth rates). RESULTS We retrieved 1718 articles of which 33 RCTs (4349 women, 7210 ovulation induction cycles) were included. In 15 RCTs that compared CC with letrozole, EMT was lower in the CC group (1957 women, 3892 cycles; WMD, -1.39; 95% CI, -2.27 to -0.51; I2 = 100%), ovulation rates after CC and letrozole were comparable (1710 women, 3217 cycles; RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.90-1.04; I2 = 47%), while CC led to a lower pregnancy rate (1957 women, 3892 cycles; RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63-0.95; I2 = 43%) and a lower live birth rate (RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.49-0.98; I2 = 35%). In two RCTs that compared CC with CC plus metformin, EMT, ovulation and pregnancy rates were comparable (101 women, 140 cycles; WMD, -0.23; 95% CI, -0.92 to 0.45; I2 = 78%; RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.67-1.06; I2 = 0%; and RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.33-1.87; I2 = 0%). In three studies that compared CC with CC plus N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), EMT was lower in the CC group (340 women, 300 cycles; WMD, -1.51; 95% CI, -1.98 to -1.04; I2 = 45%). In two studies that compared CC with CC + nitric oxide (NO) donor, EMT was lower in the CC group (120 women, 304 cycles; WMD, -1.75; 95% CI, -2.08 to -1.41; I2 = 0%). Compared with CC plus NO donor or NAC, CC showed statistically significant lower ovulation and pregnancy rates. Compared with tamoxifen in three studies, CC showed a tendency towards lower EMT (571 women, 844 cycles; WMD, -1.34; 95% CI, -2.70 to 0.01; I2 = 96%) with comparable ovulation and pregnancy rates. CONCLUSIONS In women with WHO group II ovulatory disorders, ovulation induction with CC might result in lower EMT than other ovulation induction regimens. Whether the lower EMT caused the lower pregnancy and live birth rates remains to be elucidated. Letrozole seems to be beneficial for these women. However, our findings should be interpreted with caution as the quality of evidence was very low. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M A Gadalla
- Women's Health Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - S Huang
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - R Wang
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - R J Norman
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - S A Abdullah
- Women's Health Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - A M El Saman
- Women's Health Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - A M Ismail
- Women's Health Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - M van Wely
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B W J Mol
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kahyaoğlu S, Yılmaz B, Işık AZ. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and clinical aspects of ovulation induction agents: A review of the literature. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc 2017; 18:48-55. [PMID: 28506951 PMCID: PMC5450211 DOI: 10.4274/jtgga.2016.0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is a key step for successful outcomes of assisted reproductive technique cycle outcomes. Many medications are available, which are commonly useed solely or in combination to achieve multiple follicular development. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and clinical information of ovulation induction drugs deserve to be elucidated for every individual patient before commencing infertility treatment. New concepts and new treatment protocols are introduced as ovulation physiology is understood by infertility specialists. Increasing treatment success by minimizing aderse effects is a milestone of all ovarian stimulation protocols that use these novel interventions. Achievement of a satisfactory cycle outcome includes retrieval of sufficient oocytes, a single clinical pregnancy, and avoidance of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. In this review, we evaluate the current literature to determine the most reliable and relevant information about the most used ovulation induction drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Kahyaoğlu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bülent Yılmaz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, İzmir Katip Çelebi University Faculty of Medicine, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, IVF Unit, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Zeki Işık
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies Unit, Medical Park Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kahyaoglu S, Yumuşak OH, Ozyer S, Pekcan MK, Erel M, Cicek MN, Erkaya S, Tasci Y. Clomiphene Citrate Treatment Cycle Outcomes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients Based on Basal High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2017; 10:320-326. [PMID: 28042411 PMCID: PMC5134747 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2016.4849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is highly associated with an ovulatory
infertility, features of the metabolic syndrome, including obesity, insulin resistance and
dyslipidemia. Serum concentrations of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were
significantly higher in obese than in non-obese PCOS patients at baseline, suggesting a
relationship between elevated hs-CRP levels and obesity. The aim of this study was to
evaluate whether cycle day 3 hs-CRP levels before clomiphene citrate (CC) treatment
would predict cycle outcomes in women with PCOS. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 84 infertile
women with PCOS who were treated with CC at Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health
Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, between January 2014 and January
2015. Based on the exclusion criteria, cycle outcomes of remaining 66 infertile women
with PCOS treated with CC were analyzed. The hs-CRP levels and insulin resistance indexes
were evaluated on day 3 of the CC treatment cycle. The primary outcome measures
were number of preovulatory follicles measuring≥17 mm and pregnancy rates. Results The mean ± SD age of the patients was 24.0 ± 3.8 years (range 18-36). The mean
± SD body mass index (BMI) of the patients was 25.7 ± 4.9 (range 17-43). Fifty patients
developed dominant follicle (75%) and 5 patients established clinical pregnancy during
the study (clinical pregnancy rate: 7%). The mean ± SD baseline hs-CRP, fasting insulin
and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values of the
patients with and without dominant follicle generation during treatment cycle were 6.42 ±
7.05 and 4.41 ± 2.95 (P=0.27), 11.61 ± 6.94 and 10.95 ± 5.65 (P=0.73), 2.68 ± 1.79 and
2.41 ± 1.30 (P=0.58), respectively. The mean ± SD baseline hs-CRP, fasting insulin and
HOMA-IR values of the patients with and without clinical pregnancy establishment
following treatment cycle were 6.30 ± 2.56 and 5.90 ± 6.57 (P=0.89), 11.60 ± 7.54 and 11.44
± 6.61 (P=0.95), 2.42 ± 1.51 and 2.63 ± 1.70 (P=0.79), respectively. Conclusion In this study, we did not observe a predictive value of cycle day 3 hs-CRP
levels on preovulatory follicle development and pregnancy rates among infertile PCOS
patients treated with CC. Also, no relationship between HOMA-IR values and dominant
follicle generation or clinical pregnancy establishment was demonstrated in our study,
confirming the previous studies emphasizing the neutral effect of metformin utilization
before and/or during ovulation induction to pregnancy rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Kahyaoglu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Omer Hamid Yumuşak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sebnem Ozyer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Meryem Kuru Pekcan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Merve Erel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mahmut Nedim Cicek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Salim Erkaya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Tasci
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Melo AS, Ferriani RA, Navarro PA. Treatment of infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: approach to clinical practice. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2015; 70:765-9. [PMID: 26602525 PMCID: PMC4642490 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2015(11)09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome represents 80% of anovulatory infertility cases. Treatment initially includes preconception guidelines, such as lifestyle changes (weight loss), folic acid therapy to prevent the risk of fetal neural tube defects and halting the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. The first-line pharmacological treatment for inducing ovulation consists of a clomiphene citrate treatment for timed intercourse. The second-line pharmacological treatment includes the administration of exogenous gonadotropins or laparoscopic ovarian surgery (ovarian drilling). Ovulation induction using clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins is effective with cumulative live birth rates of approximately 70%. Ovarian drilling should be performed when laparoscopy is indicated; this procedure is typically effective in approximately 50% of cases. Finally, a high-complexity reproduction treatment (in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is the third-line treatment and is recommended when the previous interventions fail. This option is also the first choice in cases of bilateral tubal occlusion or semen alterations that impair the occurrence of natural pregnancy. Evidence for the routine use of metformin in infertility treatment of anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome is not available. Aromatase inhibitors are promising and longer term studies are necessary to prove their safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Sanches Melo
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Ribeirão Preto/SP, Brazil
| | - Rui Alberto Ferriani
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Ribeirão Preto/SP, Brazil
| | - Paula Andrea Navarro
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Ribeirão Preto/SP, Brazil
- Corresponding author: E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tannus S, Burke YZ, Kol S. Treatment Strategies for the Infertile Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patient. WOMENS HEALTH 2015; 11:901-12. [DOI: 10.2217/whe.15.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Infertility is a prevalent presenting feature of PCOS, and approximately 75% of these women suffer infertility due to anovulation. Lifestyle modification is considered the first-line treatment and is associated with improved endocrine profile. Clomiphene citrate (CC) should be considered as the first line pharmacologic therapy for ovulation induction. In women who are CC resistant, second-line treatment should be considered, as adding metformin, laparoscopic ovarian drilling or treatment with gonadotropins. In CC treatment failure, Letrozole could be an alternative or treatment with gonadotropins. IVF is considered the third-line treatment; the ‘short’, antagonist-based protocol is the preferred option for PCOS patients, as it is associated with lower risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (specifically by using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist as ovulation trigger), but with comparable outcomes as the long protocol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samer Tannus
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yechiel Z Burke
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shahar Kol
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Huang LN, Tan J, Hitkari J, Dahan MH. Should IVF be used as first-line treatment or as a last resort? A debate presented at the 2013 Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society meeting. Reprod Biomed Online 2014; 30:128-36. [PMID: 25498596 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Revised: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Infertility outcomes can be influenced by many factors. Although a number of treatments are offered, deciding which one to use first is a controversial topic. Although IVF may have superior efficacy in achieving a live birth with a reasonable safety profile, the availability of cheaper and less invasive treatments preclude its absolute use. For this reason, certain patient groups with 'good-prognosis' infertility are traditionally treated with less invasive treatments first. 'Good-prognosis' infertility may include unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, stage I or II endometriosis, unilateral tubal blockage and diminished ovarian reserve. Here, evidence behind the use of IVF as a first-line treatment is compared with its use as a last-resort option in women with 'good-prognosis' infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lina N Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, 687 Pine Ave West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Justin Tan
- McGill Medical School, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jason Hitkari
- Olive Fertility Centre, Suite 300, East Tower, 555 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 3X7, Canada
| | - Michael H Dahan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, 687 Pine Ave West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1A1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|