[The Predictive Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Estradiol in Infertile Patients with Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the predictive values of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and estradiol (E2) in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and to go further into the relevant pathogenisis.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 51 high risk patients and 30 control patients undergoing superovulation on the day of hCG administration and follicular fluid at the time of egg retrieval. The high risk patients were divided into two groups[OHSS group (n=11) and non-OHSS group (n=40)] VEGF and E2 were detected and then differences between the high risk groups and control group were analyzed.

Results: There wa no significant difference in VEGF between high risk groups and control group on the day of hCG injection (P>0.05). After hCG administration, serum VEGF concentrations rose significantly in OHSS group (P<0.01). The serum and follicular fluid VEGF levels were obviously higher than those of the control group. The follicular fluid concentrations of VEGF were significantly higher than that of serum in every group (P<0.001). E2 concentrations of OHSS group rose obviously after hCG injection (P<0.01) and were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.01), but there no statistically significant change in E2 concentrations in non-OHSS groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The results from this study show that the serum and follicular fluid VEGF concentrations are significantly higher than those of control group on the day of ovum retrieval, indicating that VEGF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OHSS. It cannot predict the risk of OHSS on the day hCG administration, but it may be considered as a predictive marker for the development of OHSS after hCG administration. Serum VEGF concentrations in combination with consective E2 measurements can assist in predicting OHSS.