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Comparison of the effects of letrozole and cabergoline on vascular permeability, ovarian diameter, ovarian tissue VEGF levels, and blood PEDF levels, in a rat model of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

  • Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effects of letrozole and cabergoline in a rat model of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Study design

In this prospective, controlled experimental study, the 28 female Wistar rats were divided into four subgroups (one non-stimulated control and three OHSS-positive groups: placebo, letrozole, and cabergoline). To induce OHSS, rats were injected with 10 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin from day 29 to day 32 of life, followed by subcutaneous injection of 30 IU hCG on day 33. Letrozole rats received with a single dose of 0.1 mg/kg letrozole via oral gavage, on the hCG day. Cabergoline rats received with a single dose of 100 µg/kg cabergoline via oral gavage, on the hCG day. All animals were compared in terms of body weight, vascular permeability (VP), ovarian diameter, ovarian tissue VEGF expression (assessed via immunohistochemical staining), and blood pigment epithelium-derived growth factor (PEDF) levels.

Results

The OHSS-positive placebo group (group 2) exhibited the highest VP, ovarian diameter, extent of VEGF staining, and lowest PEDF level, as expected. No significant difference was evident between the letrozole and cabergoline groups in terms of any of body weight; VP; PEDF level; ovarian diameter; or the staining intensity of, or percentage staining for, VEGF in ovarian tissues.

Conclusions

Letrozole and cabergoline were equally effective to prevent OHSS, reducing the ovarian diameter, VP, and PEDF and VEGF levels to similar extents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sifa University Medicine School, Sanayi cad. No: 7 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey

    Nur Şahin, Mine Genç & Gülüzar Arzu Turan

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, M.H. Tepecik Research and Education Hospital, Izmir, Turkey

    Nesin Apaydın & Emrah Töz

  3. Department of Pathology, Sifa University Medicine School, Izmir, Turkey

    Oya Nermin Sivrikoz

  4. Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Sifa University Medicine School, Izmir, Turkey

    Hakan Cengiz

  5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, M.H. Manisa Public Hospital, Manisa, Turkey

    Fatma Eskicioğlu

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  1. Nur Şahin
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Correspondence to Nur Şahin.

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Şahin, N., Apaydın, N., Töz, E. et al. Comparison of the effects of letrozole and cabergoline on vascular permeability, ovarian diameter, ovarian tissue VEGF levels, and blood PEDF levels, in a rat model of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Arch Gynecol Obstet 293, 1101–1106 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3987-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3987-4

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