The Association of Exaggerated Folliculer Responses to Clomiphene Citrate With Estrogen and Follicle-stimulating Hormone Receptor Polymorphisms in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between an exaggerated follicular response to clomiphene citrate (CC) and estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor polymorphisms. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients who were diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and whose first treatment cycle started with 50 mg clomiphene citrate were investigated. Patients were evaluated in three groups: those with >17 mm follicle development (Group 1, n=20), normal responders with one or two >17 mm follicles (Group 2, n=20), and overresponders with three or more >17 mm follicles (Group 3, n=20). The FSHR SNPs rs6165 and rs6166, the ER1 SNPs rs2234693 and rs9340799, and the ER2 SNPs rs1256049 and rs4986938 were genotyped via TaqMan assays. Results: When the three different CC response groups were evaluated, no significant differences in genotype, allotype, or haplotype distributions were observed. Conclusion: A clearer understanding of genetic factors that can predict the response to CC could help prevent ovarian hyperstimulation and multiple pregnancies, thereby safeguarding the health of infertile women. The results of this study showed that FSHR, ER1, and ER2 polymorphisms cannot be used to predict the follicular response to CC treatment.