Human albumin enhances expression of vascular endothelial growth factor incultured human luteinizing granulosa cells: importance in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a severe complication of ovaria n stimulation for assisted reproductive techniques. Clinical manifestations are massive extravascular fluid accumulation and haemoconcentration. Vascu lar endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been demonstrated to mediate the d evelopment of OHSS. Intravenous albumin at the time of oocyte aspiration ha s been suggested as an effective prophylactic treatment against the occurre nce of severe OHSS. Here it is reported that in cultured human luteinizing granulosa cells, VEGF mRNA expression was enhanced by human albumin and max imum expression was observed in cultured granulosa cells obtained from pati ents with serum oestradiol concentrations >2000 pg/ml on the day of human c horionic gonadotrophin injection (P < 0.05).