Combined chromium with letrozole versus letrozole only in induction of ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A Randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) is the most common cause of anovular infertility. Many researches were done to improve ovulation in this syndrome. Many demographic, hormonal and biochemical changes are associated with this syndrome. This incluces obesity, high insulin resistance and high LH/FSH ratio. Chromium picolinate by itself helps in reduction of body mass index and reduces insulin resistance. Aim of work: we aim to check if the use of chromium picolinate can improve ovulation in polycystic ovary symdrome as it improves most of associateddemographic and hormonal factors associated with PCO. Patients and method: 90 infertile patients suffering from PCO were divided into two groups. Group A (45 patients) were given aromataze enzyme inhibitor (Letrozol) and Group B (45 patients) were given chromium picolinate in addition to Letrozol. Results: significant improvement of ovulation and pregnancy percentages in group B compared to group A. additionally all demographic and hormonal changes associated with PCO were improved significantly in most of them. Conclusion: Adding chromium picolinate potentiates the therapeutic effect of letrozol on pituitary hormones (FSH and LH), reduction of body mass index, improvement of ovulation, normalization of Estrogen level, improvement of endometrial thickness related to ovulation, improvement of progesterone production after good ovulation, reduced fasting insulin and reduction of androgen levels.