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Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is among the important causes of infertility in young women. Premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge (PLS) is one of its complications. PLS can reduce the quality of oocytes and therefore decrease the success of intrauterine insemination (IUI). Letrozole, a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor, prevents LH surge. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of letrozole on preventing premature LH surge in clomiphene-resistant patients with PCOS undergoing IUI. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 131 patients who were developed with PCOS were selected for IUI cycle, divided into two groups randomly: control group (n=67) and letrozole group (n=64). Incidence of premature LH surge, pregnancy, abortion and ongoing pregnancy rate, endometrial thickness and number of follicles were measured in both groups. Results: No significant difference was seen between mean ages in the two groups; 11.9% of the control group and 21.9% of the letrozole group became pregnant (P =0.005); furthermore, premature LH surge was seen in 4.7% of the letrozole group and 8.9% of the control group (P =0.003). E2 and Endometrial thickness was higher in letrozole group; however, LH was significantly higher in the control group (P =0.026). Conclusion: Administration of letrozole in clomiphene-resistant patients with PCO undergoing IUI cycle can decrease the incidence of PLS. In addition, it can increase pregnancy rate significantly. Therefore, using letrozole is more reasonable in patients who have not responded to clomiphene or are hypersensitive. [GMJ.2015;4(3):104-11]

Background: Implantation is considered as the rate-limiting step in success of assisted reproduction techniques, and intrauterine insemination cycles. It might be affected by ovarian superovulation and endometrial local scratching. Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of local endometrial injury on the outcome of IUI cycles. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial 144 women with unexplained infertility, mild male factor, and mild endometriosis randomly divided into two study groups through block randomization. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo endometrial biopsy between days 6-8 of the previous menstrual cycle before IUI (n=72, IUI cycles =126) or receive no interventions (n=72, IUI cycles=105). Results: The pregnancy rate per patient was 17 (23.6%) and 14 (19.4%) in endometrial biopsy and control groups, respectively (p=0.686). The pregnancy rate per cycle was 17/126 (13.5%) and 14/105 (13.3%) in endometrial biopsy and control groups, respectively (p=0.389). The abortion rate was comparable between the two groups (6.9% vs. 9.7%; p=0.764). The ongoing pregnancy rate was found to be comparable between the two study groups, as well (16.7% vs. 9.7%; p=0.325). Endometrial thickness (p=0.609) was comparable between the groups; however ER2R was significantly lower in the endometrial biopsy group (p

Background: Unexplained infertility is still a challenging issue as to its causes, appropriate management and treatment. Evidence implicates early embryopathy or implantation failure as likely causes. Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of local endometrial injury on pregnancy rate in selected unexplained infertile patients. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial conducted in Shiraz University Infertility Clinic of Ghadir Hospital. A total of 217 women with unexplained infertility aged 23-35 years old were randomly divided into two study groups through block randomization. After superovulation by clomiphene-citrate and gonadotropins and when the dominant follicles reached 18-20 mm, patients were randomly assigned to undergo endometrial local injury at posterior uterine wall by piplle endometrial sampling (n=114) or mock pipette biopsy (n=103) during pre-ovulatory days (when spontaneous urinary LH surge was detected). Then all the patients were instructed to follow a regularly timed intercourse. Results: The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the endometrial injury group compared to the control group [17/114 (14.9%) vs. 6/103 (5.8%) (OR: 2.83 95% CI: 1.07-7.49, p=0.03]. The abortion rate was comparable between two groups (17.64% vs. 14.28%; p=0.701). Conclusion: Local mechanical injury of the endometrium can enhance the uterine receptivity and facilitates the embryo implantation. This simple, easy, and cost effective procedure is worth considering in selective unexplained infertility patients who implantation failure is the likely causes of infertility before complex treatments. This procedure may help reduce psychological tensions and high expenses imposed through such interventions. Registration ID in IRCT: IRCT2012082510657N1