Anaphylactic reaction to bovine serum albumin after embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE

To increase the awareness of bovine serum albumin (BSA) sensitivity as a potentially lethal complication during ET.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Routine ET in university hospital.

PATIENT(S): A 26-year-old woman who was undergoing her first ET.

INTERVENTION(S): ET with BSA containing standard fluid medium.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E antibodies and skin tests.

RESULT(S): The patient demonstrated increased levels of specific IgE antibodies to BSA and a clearly positive scratch test for BSA.

CONCLUSION(S): Anaphylactic reactions to BSA can occur during ET. The risk can be reduced substantially if a detailed medical history is obtained.