Effect of cyclofenil on hormonal dynamics, follicular development and cervical mucus in normal and oligomenorrhoeic women

Cyclofenil is a triphenylethylene derivative, similar in structure to clomiphene citrate, which is used to induce ovulation in anovulatory women. The effects of cyclofenil on a group of 10 normal cyclic and 10 oligomenorrhoeic subjects were examined in a double blind controlled cross-over study. Both groups of women were administered either cyclofenil or, following a washout cycle, a placebo in two treatment cycles. Urinary oestrone and pregnanediol excretion were measured daily and ultrasound scans performed to assess follicular development. Frequent sampling of blood was performed on day 6 to study luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) pulsatile release. Cervical mucus changes and sperm-cervical mucus interaction were studied after identification of the LH peak. There were no significant differences between cyclofenil and placebo cycles in the following: ovulation rates, daily urinary oestrone and pregnanediol excretion, the number or size of developing follicles, LH pulsatility (parameters studied: number of peaks, pulse interval, pulse amplitude, pulse area and mean nadir LH), mean FSH level on day 6, cervical mucus and sperm-cervical mucus interaction. In view of our inability to demonstrate an effect on any parameter of endocrine function in normal and oligomenorrhoeic women, these results throw doubt on the therapeutic value of cyclofenil in its present dosage and formulation.