CHANGES IN VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR LEVELS AND THE RISK OF OVARIAN HYPERSTIMULATION SYNDROME IN WOMEN ENROLLED IN AN IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION PROGRAM

Objective: To evaluate plasma and follicular fluid levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in women undergoing controlled ovaria n hyperstimulation to establish the possible role of this growth facto r as a predictive marker of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: University hospital infertility unit. Patient(s): Fifteen women at risk of OHSS and 15 con trols. Intervention(s): An IM injection of hCG was administered; plasm a and follicular fluid samples were collected 34-38 hours after admini stration of hCG. Main Outcome Measure(s): VEGF levels in plasma and in follicular fluid. Result(s): VEGF levels increased after hCG administ ration in the patients at risk of developing OHSS and in those who dev eloped OHSS. Further, on the day of the oocyte retrieval the increase in the VEGF levels in the plasma of the patients who developed OHSS wa s statistically significant compared with the increase in the levels i n the women who did not. On the same day, the levels of VEGF in follic ular fluid were 10 times greater than those in plasma. Conclusion(s): Plasma levels of VEGF peak after hCG administration and are related to the risk of developing OHSS. (Fertil Steril(R) 1998;70:560-4. (C) 199 8 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).