Effect of prolactin in an experimental model of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

In the rabbit model of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, animals given ovine prolactin with human menopausal gonadotropins (hMGs), as compared to animals receiving hMGs alone, demonstrated an increase in the formation of ascitic fluid, a decrease in mean plasma estradiol, and an increase in the mean plasma progesterone concentrations. The ovarian estradiol and progesterone content reflected that of the peripheral blood. These data suggest that, under the conditions of these experiments, prolactin may play a role in the pathogenesis of ascites formation but not the ovarian enlargement observed in this syndrome. Although the plasma estradiol levels were lower and the progesterone levels were higher in the animals treated with prolactin and gonadotropins, this did not prevent the occurrence of ascites, a cardinal clinical sign of this gonadotropin-induced syndrome.