Effect of chronic administration of cabergoline on uterine perfusion in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To confirm whether patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS ) have a reduction in uterine perfusion and to verify whether chronic admin istration of cabergoline can decrease this high vascular resistance. Design: Prospective randomized trial. Setting: Endocrinological Centre of the Department of Obstetrics and Gyneco logy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. Patient(s): Thirty patients were enrolled in the study: 20 affected by PCOS and 10 healthy controls. Patients with PCOS were randomly assigned to one of two treatments for 3 months: oral administration of cabergoline (0.5 mg) every week or oral administration of placebo every week. Intervention(s): All patients underwent transvaginal ultrasonography associ ated with Doppler flow measurement of the uterine artery, and serum hormone concentrations were determined during the early follicular phase. In women with PCOS. Doppler flow measurement and hormonal assessment were repeated in the early follicular phase of the third month of treatment. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pulsatility index of the uterine artery before and during treatment. Result(s): The mean pulsatility index of the uterine artery in patients wit h PCOS was significantly higher than that of thr control group (3.29 +/- 0. 5 and 2.01 +/- 0.2, respectively). Patients with PCOS treated with cabergol ine showed a significant increase in uterine perfusion, with a pulsatility index of 3.14 +/- 0.6 before and 2.39 +/- 0.5 during the treatment. No diff erence was found in patients with PCOS treated with placebo. Conclusion(s): Patients with PCOS have high resistance in the uterine arter ies, but chronic administration of cabergoline can increase uterine perfusi on. (Fertil Steril(R) 1999:71:314-8. (C) 1999 by American Society for Repro ductive Medicine.)