The ovary is the main source of cytokines and VEGF, which are mediators that cause increased capillary permeability and ascites. It has been suggested that parameters of ovarian activity during stimulation such as serum levels of estradiol and number of oocytes retrieved correlate closely with VEGF gene expression.1 Cabergoline decreases the phosphorylation of VEGFR2.10 Animal studies have demonstrated that the expression of gene for tyrosine

hydroxylase enzyme, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical which is the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis, is significantly lower in rats with overstimulated ovaries.11 High VEGF expression and activity in OHSS seem to be associated with reduced dopamine production. Cabergoline significantly reduced VEGFR2-dependent vascular permeability in rats with OHSS. Moreover, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical serum levels of progestrone and rates of luteal apoptosis remained unchanged, suggesting the absence of a luteolytic effect of cabergoline.12 Beside inhibiting VEGFR-2 phosphorylation and signalling, other theories have been suggested for the mechanism of action for cabergoline.

In a study on hyperprolactinemic PCOS patients, a dopaminergic Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical control of LH release and a Selleck BIX 1294 support for the use of cabergoline in the management of these patients were shown. Cabergoline provided a better clinical control of ovarian response and consequently a reduction of the risk of OHSS, and Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical did not cause a decrease in pregnancy rate.5 Approximately half of the patients in each group (cabergoline and control groups) were those with PCOS, and all of them had normal serum concentrations of prolactin. The present study did not aim at evaluating the effect of cabergoline in hyperprolactinemic patients with PCOS, and further studies are in need to shed light on the issue. Alvarez and colleagues,3 conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial in oocyte donors at risk of OHSS, and found that Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical the incidence of moderate or severe OHSS was significantly reduced in the cabergoline-treated group, without an adverse

effect on ovarian function. In a retrospective analysis,6 Alvarez and colleagues showed that implantation and clinical pregnancy rates in women who received cabergoline for the prevention of OHSS was similar to those in women matched for age, embryo quality, and semen parameters. The present study showed that BMI, patients’ age, infertility duration, type and cause of infertility, and serum levels of FSH and LH, PCOS, or the history of previous OHSS, estradiol level, PCOS prevalence, and number of oocytes retrieved were similar between the two groups. In spite of the small sample size, the present study has the advantages similarity of basal or background characteristics, cycle stimulation characteristics and minimal selection bias all of which make the study reliable for future practical and clinical purposes.