Hormonal profile and endometrial morphology in letrozole-controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in ovulatory infertile patients

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical response and endometrial morphology during the implantation window on ovarian hyperstimulation with the aromatase inhibitor letrozole in infertile ovulatory women.

Design: Prospective trial in infertile patients.

Setting: Tertiary care hospital.

Patient(s): Eight ovulatory infertile patient candidates for ovarian superovulation.

Intervention(s): Subjects were monitored in one control cycle. In the next cycle, they received letrozole 5.0 mg daily on days 3 through 7 after menses.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Number of ovulatory follicles; dominant follicle diameter; endometrial thickness; hormonal profile of FSH, LH, E-2, A, T, and P; endometrial histological dating; and pinopode formation assessed by scanning electron microscopy.

Result(s): Cycles stimulated with letrozole resulted in more ovulatory follicles than did natural cycles (mean +/- SD 2.0 +/- 0.9 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.0), which attained a greater preovulatory diameter (mean +/- SD 23.8 +/- 2.7 vs. 19.3 +/- 2.1 mm), with similar endometrial thickness at midcycle compared with spontaneous cycles. Endocrine profile of medicated cycles was characterized on day 7 by increased levels of LH (5.9 +/- 0.8 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.4 IU/mL), reduced E-2 (98.4 +/- 11.4 vs. 161.5 +/- 14.7 pmol/L), and elevated androgens. Preovulatory and midsecretory E-2 were similar to spontaneous cycle, and P levels during midluteal phase were significantly elevated (44.2 +/- 4.6 vs. 27.7 +/- 4.6 pmol/L). Endometrial morphology during the implantation window in letrozole-stimulated cycles was characterized by in-phase histological dating and pinopode expression on scanning electron microscopy.

Conclusion(s): Letrozole induces moderate ovarian hyperstimulation in ovulatory infertile patients with E-2 levels similar to spontaneous cycles and higher midluteal P, leading to both a normal endometrial histology and development of pinopodes, considered to be relevant markers of endometrial receptivity.