Ovarian stromal blood flow following clomiphene citrate challenge test in infertile women.

PURPOSE

To compare ovarian stromal blood flow indices in the follicular phase and after clomiphene citrate (CC) in infertile women.

METHODS

Pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and peak systolic blood flow velocity (PSV) of ovarian stromal vessels were determined by spectral Doppler analysis in the early follicular phase and on day 10 after CC. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol concentrations were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 69 infertile women were included in the analysis. No significant differences in the average PI, RI, and PSV of ovarian stromal blood flow were demonstrated in the follicular phase and after CC despite a significant increase in serum estradiol concentration after CC. Serum FSH concentration was similar in the follicular phase and after CC, while serum LH concentration was significantly higher after CC. In the right ovary, ovarian stromal blood flow was absent in 13 (18.8%) patients in the follicular phase and in 6 (8.7%) patients after CC, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. In the left ovary, ovarian stromal blood flow was absent in 13 (18.8%) and 12 (17.4%) patients in the follicular phase and after CC, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ovarian stromal blood flow indices were similar in the follicular phase and after CC.