Ambient temperature and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: An observational study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Environmental Health
• Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background:

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a significant complication of assisted reproductive technologies.
• The influence of environmental factors, such as ambient temperature, on OHSS risk is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between ambient temperature and the incidence of severe to critical OHSS.
• To determine if ambient temperature affects live birth rates following oocyte retrieval.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 28,397 women aged 40 years or younger undergoing oocyte retrieval.
• Patients were categorized by average ambient temperatures in the 7 days post-oocyte retrieval.
• Primary outcome: severe to critical OHSS; Secondary outcome: live birth rate.

Main Results:

• An increased incidence of severe to critical OHSS was observed at higher ambient temperatures.
• A significant association was found between rising ambient temperature and OHSS risk up to 22.1°C (aOR, 1.025).
• No significant association was detected between ambient temperature and live birth rates.

Conclusions:

• Elevated ambient temperatures post-oocyte retrieval are associated with a higher risk of severe to critical OHSS.
• Clinicians should be vigilant for OHSS in patients undergoing oocyte retrieval during warmer periods.
• Environmental heat exposure is a potential modifiable risk factor for OHSS.