Aromatase Inhibitor Effects on Ovarian Function During the Follicular and Early Luteal Phase in Women
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2012-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
A single center, open label randomized clinical trial designed to examine ovarian follicular
dynamics following attempted atresia induction during the late follicular and early luteal
phase of the menstrual cycle using an aromatase inhibitor.
We hypothesize that administration of an aromatase inhibitor (AI) at biologically important
times of the natural menstrual cycle will cause ovulatory failure in women with preovulatory
follicles and failure of luteogenesis in women who have recently ovulated. It is proposed
that atresia of the dominant follicle and formation of anovulatory structures will be
associated with arrested endometrial development and a shortened interval to menstrual
bleeding (3 days). We anticipate that this will provide us with information to facilitate the
development of a new method for emergency contraception and a greater understanding of human
folliculogenesis.
The rationale for the proposed research project is based on the ovarian synchronization
concepts developed and documented in the bovine model in the Reproductive Science and
Medicine Research group at the University of Saskatchewan combined with novel human ovarian
wave concepts of folliculogenesis first elucidated in the Women's Health Imaging Research
Laboratory (WHIRL) in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.