Objective: To study the effects of clomiphene citrate (CC) on the endometri
um of regularly cycling women.
Design: Prospective, controlled study.
Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chu
lalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Patient(s): Thirty healthy, regularly cycling, female volunteers.
Intervention(s): All volunteers were studied for two consecutive cycles, on
e control cycle and one CC-treated cycle. Clomiphene citrate (100 mg/d) was
given on days 3-7 of the CC-treated cycles. Ultrasonography was performed
daily to assess ovulation. Ultrasonography and endometrial biopsy were perf
ormed, and blood samples were obtained for determination of E-2 and progest
erone levels 7 days after ovulation in both the control and CC-treated cycl
es.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Histologic dating, morphometric analysis, and ultr
asonographic appearance and thickness of the endometrium.
Result(s): Histologic dating and ultrasonographic appearance and thickness
of the endometrium were similar in the control and CC-treated cycles, but m
orphometric parameters were different. The number of glands per square mill
imeter and the mean diameter of the glands were lower in the CC-treated cyc
les than in the control cycles, but the number of vacuolated cells per 1,00
0 glandular cells was higher.
Conclusion(s): Clomiphene citrate has effects on the endometrium of regular
ly cycling women, as demonstrated by a reduction in glandular density and a
n increase in the number of vacuolated cells. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000;73:287
-91. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)