Letrozole, Gonadotropin, or Clomiphene for Unexplained Infertility

ABSTRACTEmpirical ovarian stimulation with gonadotropin or clomiphene is the standard therapy for women with unexplained infertility. Use of these agents, however, is often complicated by the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, multiple gestations, an increased risk of preterm birth, and associated neonatal morbidity. A number of studies have reported that an aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, may be an effective alternative for ovarian stimulation in couples with unexplained infertility. This agent has been used successfully to induce ovulation in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome, a leading cause of infertility. There have been reports of a similar or improved pregnancy rate with letrozole as compared with gonadotropin or clomiphene. Letrozole has been associated with monofollicular development in most patients, which may result in enhanced fertility, a reduced risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, and multiple births compared with gonadotropin and clomiphene. Moreover, its administration has not been associated with a significantly increased risk of congenital anomalies.This multicenter randomized trial assessed whether ovarian stimulation with letrozole would result in a lower rate of multiple gestation while maintaining live birth rates as compared with clomiphene or gonadotropin. The study was conducted at 12 clinical sites throughout the United States. Study subjects were 900 couples with unexplained infertility. Women were between 18 and 40 years of age with regular menses, had a normal uterine cavity with at least 1 patent fallopian tube, and had a male partner with semen that met the intrauterine insemination threshold for normal sperm counts.Women were randomly assigned to ovarian stimulation (up to 4 cycles) with gonadotropin (n = 301) clomiphene (n = 300), or letrozole (n = 299). Gonadotropin was administered by subcutaneous injection, and clomiphene or letrozole was administered orally as coated tablets. The primary outcome, multiple gestation among women with pregnancies, was compared first between the letrozole group and the overall standard-therapy group (clomiphene and gonadotropin groups combined) and then among the 3 groups. A placebo control group was not used.Treatment with gonadotropin, clomiphene, or letrozole resulted in clinical pregnancies in 35.5%, 28.3%, and 22.4% of cycles and live birth in 32.2%, 23.3%, and 18.7%, respectively. Pregnancy rates with letrozole were significantly lower than the rates with gonadotropin or clomiphe