Angiogenic cytokine and interleukin 8 levels in early luteal phase after triggering ovulation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in high-responder patients.

Abstract

Interleukin 8 (IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), its receptors 1 (VEGFR1) and 2 (VEGFR2) are associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of these cytokines depending on the way of ovulation triggering. A total of 51 high-responder patients underwent IVF program and received gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) trigger+1500IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) support on the oocyte pick-up (OPU) day (group I), dual trigger (GnRHa+1500IU hCG; group II), or hCG trigger 10,000IU (group III) for the final oocyte maturation. The concentrations of cytokines were evaluated in serum by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. VEGFR2 levels were significantly lower in groups I and II than in group III in serum on the OPU (I vs. III, p=.0456; II vs. III, p=.0122) and OPU+5day (I vs. III, p=.0004; II vs. III, p=.0082). VEGFAlevels were lower in group I than in group III (p=.0298) on the OPU day, however, were similar in all groups on the OPU+5day. A small dose of hCG elicits similar concentrations of VEGFA to a full dose of hCG; however, GnRHa triggering reduces the concentrations of VEGFR2, which could lead to the OHSS prevention.