Effect of antioxidants as adjuvant therapy to clomiphene citrate in controlled ovarian stimulation: a comparative study

Abstract

Aim of the work: This work aims to evaluate the value of adding L-carnitine to clomiphene citrate in ovulatory dysfunction according to ovulation and pregnancy rate. Patient and method: This study was conducted at the obstetric and gynaecology clinic, Mansoura University Hospital, from May 2021 to August 2022. The study included 186 participants presenting with infertility; Participants were allocated into two groups. Group A: received clomiphene citrate(100mg) plus L-carnitine (2gm). Group B: received clomiphene citrate (100mg) alone. Patients were allocated to groups by case order. The outcomes include ovulation, estradiol level, endometrial thickness, and pregnancy rate. Results: dominant follicle size, endometrial thickness, serum E2 and earlier day of HCG injection (P < 0.001) compared to group B. regarding the response to induction in both them regarding ovulation rate, pregnancy rate and early miscarriage rate (P = 0.071,0.336,0.502 respectively). Regarding the induction in Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients in both groups, the patients with PCO in group (A) had an earlier day of HCG injection (P = 0.035). PCO patients in both groups regarding other variants. Conclusion: L-carnitine as an adjuvant therapy to clomiphene citrate in the controlled ovarian stimulation was associated with higher follicle number, better endometrial thickness, and earlier days of HCG injection in PCO patients.