Clomiphene citrate (MRL-41), a derivative of the synthetic estrogen TACE, is a new drug with unique properties of therapeutic potential for such diversified conditions as amenorrhea, anovulation, postjartum lactation, Chiari-Frommel syndrome, cystic mastitis, and oligospermia.
The following observations in patients receiving clomiphene illustrate its effects and imply a primary mechanism of action: (1) sperm counts and urinary 17-ketosteroids increased significantly in 9 of 12 oligospermic men, with markedly increased gonadotropins in all subjects; (2) ovulation occurred in 4 or 5 anovulatory women, with inhibited endometrial growth in one case; (3) vaginal cornification was markedly reduced and gonadotropins increased (1 of