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. 2022 May 5;11(9):2597.
doi: 10.3390/jcm11092597.

Parameters for Calcium Metabolism in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Who Undergo Stimulation with Letrozole: A Prospective Cohort Study

Iris Holzer  1 , John Preston Parry  2   3 , Klara Beitl  1 , Boban Pozderovic  1 , Rodrig Marculescu  4 , Johannes Ott  1
Affiliations

Parameters for Calcium Metabolism in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Who Undergo Stimulation with Letrozole: A Prospective Cohort Study

Iris Holzer et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

For women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and infertility, stimulation with the aromatase-inhibitor letrozole has been recommended as a first-line for ovulation induction. Calcium-associated signaling has also been a component for other ovulation induction and superovulation medications. This study’s aim was to evaluate parameters of calcium metabolism in PCOS women. In a prospective cohort study, 61 anovulatory, infertile PCOS patients who underwent letrozole stimulation were included. Outcome measures were: follicular maturation after letrozole stimulation; parathyroid hormone (PTH); 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3); serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, albumin, and total protein. Successful recruitment of a dominant follicle was achieved in 35 patients (57.4%). Women with and without successful follicular development did not differ in serum levels of PTH (38.4 ± 19.7 vs. 39.6 ± 16.2 pg/mL), 25OHD3 (62.5 ± 32.1 vs. 65.4 ± 30.9 nmol/L), calcium (2.36 ± 0.08 vs. 2.37 ± 0.12 mmol/L), or protein (70.2 ± 13.3 vs. 74.0 ± 3.7 g/L), respectively (p > 0.05). However, women who were not responsive to letrozole for ovulation induction demonstrated higher anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels (9.7 ± 4.7 vs. 5.0 ± 3.2 ng/mL, p = 0.005). In conclusion, the success of letrozole stimulation in women with PCOS is independent from calcium metabolism parameters. However, AMH levels seem predictive of medication resistance.

Keywords: calcium metabolism; letrozole; ovarian stimulation; polycystic ovarian syndrome; vitamin D.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ott reports personal fees from Lenus Pharma GesmbH (Vienna, Austria), outside the submitted work. All other authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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