Chemical Induction of Ovulation

Abstract

To the Editor:— The lead article ( JAMA 178 :101 [Oct. 14] 1961) by Greenblatt and his associates called forth an excellent editorial entitled Induction of Ovulation with MRL/41. Two synthetic nonsteroidal drugs, 1-[p-2-diethylaminoethoxyphenyl]-1-2-p-methoxyphenlyethanol (MER-25) and clomiphene citrate (MRL/41), both structurally related to chlorotrianisene (Tace) but without that compound's estrogenic activity, have been observed to produce ovulatory menstrual cycles in certain types of ammenorrhea. Three groups of investigators have now reported this observation: Tyler, Olson, and Gotlib in 1960; Kistner and Smith in 1960, and again in 1961; and, finally Greenblatt and his associates. One of these reports was not referred to, either in the editorial or in the paper by Green-blatt et al., for which reason I will give the complete reference (Kistner, R. W., and Smith, O. W.: Observations on Use of a Non-Steroidal Estrogen Antagonist: MER-25, Surg Forum 10 :725, 1960). I would like to call especial attention