The primary research hypothesis is that ovulation induction with an aromatase inhibitor
(letrozole) is more likely to result in live birth than ovulation induction with a selective
estrogen receptor modulator (clomiphene citrate) in infertile women with PCOS. A safety
hypothesis will also be incorporated into the primary research hypothesis in which we
hypothesize both treatments are equally safe for mother and child.
Secondary research hypotheses include:
1. Treatment with letrozole is more likely to result in singleton pregnancy compared to
treatment with clomiphene citrate. Singleton pregnancy is defined as presence of a
single intrauterine gestational sac with a single fetal pole and observable heart
motion.
2. Treatment with letrozole will less likely result in a first trimester intrauterine fetal
demise than treatment with clomiphene citrate. A first trimester IUFD is defined as a
pregnancy that ends before 13 weeks gestation.
3. Treatment with letrozole is more likely to result in ovulation (increased ovulation
rate) compared to treatment with clomiphene citrate. Ovulation is defined as a midluteal
progesterone level ≥ 3 ng/mL.
4. The shortest time to pregnancy will be with letrozole.
5. Age, body mass index, SHBG, testosterone, LH, Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), and degree
of hirsutism and acne will be significant predictors of ovulation and conception
regardless of treatment.
6. Improvement in SHBG, testosterone, AMH, and LH levels will be significant predictors of
ovulation and conception regardless of treatment.
7. DNA polymorphisms in estrogen action genes will predict response to study drug.
8. Quality of Life will be better on letrozole than clomiphene.
9. Letrozole will be more cost effective at achieving singleton pregnancies than
clomiphene.
Phase:
Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Yale University
Collaborators:
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Penn State University The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio University of Colorado, Denver University of Michigan University of Pennsylvania University of Vermont Wayne State University