Effects of clomiphene citrate stimulation on endometrial structure in infertile women

Abstract

Investigations into the effect of clomiphene citrate stimulation on endometrial differentiation were retrospectively performed in the mid-luteal phase on 21 patients undergoing ovulation induction prior to artificial insemination. A high incidence of irregular endometrial development was seen using morphological and morphometric criteria; in addition, increasing stromal oedema after clomiphene citrate treatment was observed. Measurable differences in glandular development (i.e. numbers of glands and glandular epithelial height) were found in early luteal phase biopsies (LH+2/+6) from patients treated with clomiphene citrate and normal fertile controls. Impaired endometrial development in the early luteal phase, which is a sensitive interval in preparation for implantation, might lead to an effective asynchrony between embryonic and uterine development and unfavourably influence the outcome of implantation.