SIDE-EFFECTS OF OVARIAN HYPERSTIMULATION - HORMONAL AND LIPID PROFILECHANGES

Objective-Ovarian hyperstimulation is associated with a significant in crease in ovarian steroid hormone production. Since such high levels o f sex steroids may influence the activity of other endocrine glands, a s well as affecting lipid metabolism, we studied the effect of ovarian hyperstimulation on the hormonal and lipid profile. Study Design-In t en patients who were treated with human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) for in vitro fertilization (IVF), the serum levels of dehydroepiandro sterone (DHEA), 17-hydroxyprogesterone, insulin, cortisol, growth horm one, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prolactin, as well as total chol esterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density-lip oprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, and free fatty acids were monitored. These were correlated with estradiol and free and total te stosterone levels. Results-Increased estradiol and free testosterone l evels were associated with an increase in DHEA concentration. A correl ation was found between increased estrogen level and decreased total c holesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-C levels; HDL-C levels remained unch anged. There was a positive correlation between the estradiol levels a nd free fatty acid elevation. Conclusions-Ovarian hyperstimulation ind uced changes in lipoprotein lipid content. However, the treated women faced no increase in cardiovascular risk, since their lipoprotein lipi d levels were not affected.