The new third generation aromatase inhibitors are extremely potent and specific oral
inhibitors of estrogen production. We reported the success of using aromatase inhibitors
for induction of ovulation in World Health Organization (WHO) type II anovulatory
patients. Promising pregnancy rates were associated with the use of aromatase inhibitors
for induction of ovulation in these women. In addition, the use of aromatase inhibition
in conjunction with gonadotropin injection was associated with a significant reduction
in the gonadotropin dose required for optimum controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
We believe that these oral agents are efficient and safe and have many advantages
compared with clomiphene citrate (CC). We propose that aromatase inhibitors will replace
CC in the future as the new primary treatment for ovulation induction. In this review,
we present an update on the use of aromatase inhibitors for induction of ovulation
and we discuss several new areas of potential interest regarding the use of aromatase
inhibitors, either alone or together with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH) for infertility treatment. Further research in these areas may demonstrate an
expanded role in assisted reproductive technologies.
KEYWORDS
Aromatase inhibitors - induction of ovulation - FSH - polycystic ovary syndrome -
assisted reproduction
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