SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS INDUCED BY OVULATION INDUCTION TREATMENT

Infertile women are treated with various regimens for ovulation induct ion. The ultimate end-result of these treatments is a significant rise in levels of serum gonadotropins and estradiol-the most potent natura l estrogen. Estrogens may affect diverse biologic functions, including immune and inflammatory reactions. A role for estrogens in the develo pment or exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been s uggested by many studies. In this report, we present 3 cases of otherw ise healthy women who received ovulation induction agents and subseque ntly developed full-blown SLE. The possible association between this t reatment and SLE is discussed.