Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Embryo Transfer Surgery via Laparotomy in Gilts
Published on: October 18, 2024
Massive ascites and hydrothorax after leuprolide acetate administration in a down-regulated woman undergoing assisted
Bruno Ferrari1, Antonio Pezzuto, Francesco Coppola
1Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Neonatology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. bruno.ferrari@unipr.it
Objective:
To present an atypical case of massive ascites and hydrothorax after leuprolide acetate administration in a down-regulated woman undergoing assisted reproduction.
Design:
Case report.
Setting:
Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Neonatology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Patient(S):
A 41-year-old, nulliparous, white woman who developed massive ascites and hydrothorax after administration of 0.50 mg/day of subcutaneous leuprolide acetate, beginning at the midluteal phase.
Intervention(S):
Down-regulation with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue was discontinued, and therapy was started with furosemide 50 mg/day for 10 days.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Successful medical reduction of ascites and hydrothorax.
Result(S):
Resolution of symptoms.
Conclusion(S):
A comprehensive MEDLINE search revealed this to be the first reported case of massive ascites and hydrothorax after leuprolide acetate administration (0.5 mg daily) in a down-regulated woman undergoing assisted reproduction. This case can be explained by an increase in capillary permeability, which resulted in a rapid fluid shift from the intravascular space into the third space. We believe that ascites in our patient resulted from an increase in estradiol in the ovaries, due to a direct action of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue on the corresponding ovarian receptors in the first few days after the start of therapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Ascites
01:25Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's criteria,...
01:28Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations: