Aromatase Inhibition Improves Ovarian Response to Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Poor Responders

Pharmacological profile of MEN 11066, a novel potent and selective aromatase inhibitor

“…A novel clinical application for aromatase inhibitors is emerging [10,11]. Indeed, the successful use of letrozole in treatment to induce or increase ovulation, respectively, in anovulatory women and ovulatory women undergoing assisted reproduction techniques has been reported [10,11].…”

“…A novel clinical application of aromatase inhibitors has recently been suggested [10,11] for management of some cases of couples with infertility in which gonadotropin stimulation of the female partner is used to achieve multiple follicle development. Indeed, aromatase inhibition resulted in successfully inducing ovarian hyperstimulation, in inducing ovulation in anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome and in ameliorating ovarian response in poor responders to gonadotropin treatment [10,11].…”

“…Indeed, aromatase inhibition resulted in successfully inducing ovarian hyperstimulation, in inducing ovulation in anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome and in ameliorating ovarian response in poor responders to gonadotropin treatment [10,11]. In addition, administration of letrozole in combination with FSH, was able to reduce the dose of the gonadotropin necessary for ovarian hyperstimulation [11].…”

“…Indeed, aromatase inhibition resulted in successfully inducing ovarian hyperstimulation, in inducing ovulation in anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome and in ameliorating ovarian response in poor responders to gonadotropin treatment [10,11]. In addition, administration of letrozole in combination with FSH, was able to reduce the dose of the gonadotropin necessary for ovarian hyperstimulation [11]. Blockade of estrogen synthesis in the early part of the menstrual cycle would increase gonadotropin secretion by decreasing hypothalamus and pituitary estrogen levels and thus the estrogen negative feedback [10,11].…”

“…In addition, administration of letrozole in combination with FSH, was able to reduce the dose of the gonadotropin necessary for ovarian hyperstimulation [11]. Blockade of estrogen synthesis in the early part of the menstrual cycle would increase gonadotropin secretion by decreasing hypothalamus and pituitary estrogen levels and thus the estrogen negative feedback [10,11]. On the other hand, the failed conversion of androgens to estrogens and the consequent accumulation of intraovarian androgens may increase follicular sensitivity to FSH during the early stages of the follicular development [10,11], as already suggested [12][13][14].…”