Dynamics of immunoreactive endothelin plasma levels during ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization with and without dietary sodium restriction

Objective: To investigate the correlation between immunoreactive endothelin plasma levels and both the number and sire of follicles and its relationsh ip with the development of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, in in vitro f ertilization cycles, with and without dietary sodium restriction. Study des ign: Randomized study in an assisted reproduction unit of a large teaching hospital. Data of 88 women form the basis of this report (45 ad libitum sod ium intake and 43 dietary sodium restriction). Non-parametric tests were us ed for statistical analysis. Results: Immunoreactive endothelin plasma leve ls neither correlate with the number of follicles, independent of their siz e, nor with the grade of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Immunoreactive endothelin plasma levels decrease significantly in the luteal phase. These results are the same in both sodium diet groups. Conclusions: Immunoreactiv e endothelin plasma levels do not correlate with the number and size of fol licles and they are not related to the development of ovarian hyperstimulat ion syndrome. These findings are independent of sodium intake. (C) 2001 Els evier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.