Changes in CA602 and CA546 concentrations in patients during in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Changes in CA602 and CA546, two carbohydrate-related antigens newly established in our institute, were evaluated during the course of in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The concentration of CA602, an antigen with characteristics similar to those of CA125, did not change substantially until embryo transfer. In patients with clinical evidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a significant increase in serum concentrations of CA602 was observed 10 days after embryo transfer (P < 0.01). There were no significant changes in the patients without OHSS. A significant elevation of oestradiol concentration in OHSS patients was also observed, with the variation before oocyte retrieval being greater than that seen with CA602. The concentration of CA546, which had lower false-positive rates in benign disease, did not differ significantly in the OHSS and non-OHSS patients. Our data demonstrate that serum concentrations of CA602 are increased even in early stages of OHSS, and suggest a possible role for this antigen as a marker for OHSS.