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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: pathophysiology and prevention
Carolina O Nastri1, Rui A Ferriani, Isa A Rocha
1Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (DGO-HC-FMRP-USP), Avenida dos Bandeirantes 3900, 8 masculine andar, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, CEP 14049-900.
Purpose:
To review and discuss the pathophysiology and prevention strategies for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is a condition that may occur in up to 20% of the high risk women submitted to assisted reproductive technology cycles.
Methods:
The English language literature on these topics were reviewed through PubMed and discussed with emphasis on recent data.
Results:
The role of estradiol, luteinizing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), inflammatory mediators, the renin-angiotensin system and vascular endothelial growth factor is discussed in the pathophysiology of OHSS. In addition we consider the prevention strategies, including coasting, administration of albumin, renin-angiotensin system blockage, dopamine agonist administration, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory administration, GnRH antagonist protocols, reducing hCG dosage, replacement of hCG and in vitro maturation of oocytes (IVM).
Conclusions:
Among the many prevention strategies that have been discussed, the current evidence points to the replacement of hCG by GnRH agonists in antagonist cycles and the performance of IVM procedures as the safest approaches.
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