Serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels are poorly predictive of subsequent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in highly responsive women undergoing assisted conception.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels can distinguish highly responsive women who subsequently develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) from women with a similar ovarian response who do not.


METHODS
Prospective controlled study.


METHODS
University IVF unit.


METHODS
Women undergoing IVF who met predetermined risk criteria for OHSS. Patients developing OHSS were compared with patients who did not develop OHSS.


METHODS
Long-protocol pituitary down-regulation followed by FSH stimulation by a standard protocol without coasting. A maximum of three embryos was transferred. Vaginal progesterone was used for luteal support.


METHODS
Occurrence of OHSS; serum VEGF concentrations on the day of embryo transfer (ET) and at 5 and 10 days after ET.


RESULTS
Serum VEGF levels at any time point did not differ significantly between 9 OHSS cases and 9 controls. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels in samples collected from cases before the onset of OHSS were higher than levels in time-matched samples from controls (medians, 177.6 [range, 64.02-549.1] pg/mL vs. 100.7 [range, 37.59-246] pg/mL, respectively), but the difference failed to reach statistical significance (P=.0518), and there was considerable overlap between cases and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum VEGF levels in the luteal phase do not distinguish between high-risk women who subsequently develop OHSS and women with a similar risk profile who do not develop OHSS.
Mathur
Raj
R
Bristol University Centre for Reproductive Medicine., Bristol, United Kingdom. rajmathur@doctors.org.uk
Hayman
Grant
G
Bansal
Amolak
A
Jenkins
Julian
J
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors