Vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-6 and interleukin-2 in serum and follicular fluid of patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is not completely understood.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the presence of VEGF, IL-6 and IL-2, in serum and follicular fluid, in patients developing severe OHSS.

STUDY

DESIGN

We enrolled 101 women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Eight patients developing severe OHSS were compared with 43 high risk patients and 50 controls. We analyzed VEGF and IL-6 in serum collected before hCG administration, and in both serum and follicular fluid on the day of oocyte retrieval.

RESULTS

OHSS patients presented follicular fluid IL-6 levels higher than both the patients at risk and controls (P<0.05). On the day of the oocyte retrieval the patients developing OHSS showed serum and follicular VEGF values higher than the ones of the patients at risk (P<0.05). Serum and follicular fluid IL-2 levels showed no differences between the examined groups. IL-2, IL-6 and VEGF values were not correlated with each other.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiogenesis and inflammation processes are both present in severe OHSS.