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Does metformin modify ovarian responsiveness during exogenous FSH ovulation induction in normogonadotrophic anovulation? A placebo-controlled double-blind assessment

Division of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and ¹ Centre for Clinical Decision Sciences, Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands and ² Department of Reproductive Medicine, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands

(Correspondence should be addressed to E J P van Santbrink, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Email: e.vansantbrink{at}erasmusmc.nl)

Objective: To assess whether the addition of metformin to gonadotrophin ovulation induction in insulin-resistant, normogonadotrophic, anovulatory women alters ovarian responsiveness to exogenous FSH.

Design: Placebo-controlled double-blind assessment in an academic hospital.

Results: After a progestagen withdrawal bleeding, patients were randomised for either metformin (n = 11) or placebo (n = 9) treatment. In cases of absent ovulation, exogenous FSH was subsequently administered to induce ovulation. Only during metformin treatment did body mass index and androgen (androstenedione and testosterone) levels decrease, whereas FSH and LH levels increased significantly. In the metformin group, a single patient ovulated before the initiation of exogenous FSH. Significantly more monofollicular cycles and lower preovulatory oestradiol concentrations were observed in women receiving FSH with metformin compared with FSH alone.

Conclusions: Metformin co-treatment in a group of insulin-resistant, normogonadotrophic, anovulatory patients resulted in normalization of the endocrine profile and facilitated monofollicular development during the FSH induction of ovulation.

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				E. Moll, F. van der Veen, and M. van Wely The role of metformin in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review Hum. Reprod. Update, November 1, 2007; 13(6): 527 - 537. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]