Effects of pentoxifylline in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a rabbit model.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and other cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Pentoxifylline, a methylxanthine derivative, was found to inhibit TNF-alpha synthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of pentoxifylline would prevent the occurrence of OHSS in a rabbit model. Thirteen rabbits were divided into two groups. The first group (n = 6) were given pentoxifylline 15 mg/kg intravenously and the second group (n = 7) were given physiological serum 15 mg/kg before ovulation induction. Ovarian hyperstimulation was induced in rabbits by 200 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin on day 1 and 100 IU human chorionic gonadotropin on day 3. Blood samples were analyzed for TNF-alpha on days 1, 3 and 5. All animals were autopsied on day 6 to evaluate the ovarian weight, ascites formation and histopathological changes. There was no difference between groups regarding weight gain, ascites formation and plasma TNF-alpha levels (p < 0.05). Ovarian weight and number of ovulations were significantly lower in the pentoxifylline group than the control group (p < 0.05). Pentoxifylline did not prevent ascites formation despite the observed decrease in ovarian weight and number of ovulations in OHSS in a rabbit model.