Dopamine Agonist Cabergoline Reduces Hemoconcentration and Ascites in Hyperstimulated Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction

Context: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) results from increased vascular permeability (VP) caused by ovarian hypersecretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which activates its receptor-2. In animals, the dopamine receptor 2 agonist cabergoline (Cb2) inactivates VEGF receptor-2 and prevents increased VP. Objective: Our objective was to test whether Cb2 reduces VP and prevents OHSS in humans. Design: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind study on oocyte donors at risk of developing OHSS (>20 follicles, >12 mm developed, and >20 oocytes retrieved). Interventions: Cb2 0.5 mg/d (n = 37) or a placebo (n = 32) was administered from the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (d 0) until d 8. Ascites (a pocket of peritoneal fluid > 9 cm2 in lithotomy position), hemoconcentration, and serum prolactin were recorded. Pharmacokinetic studies with magnetic resonance employing the transfer constant rate (Ktrans, measure of permeability) and the extravascular extracellular space (υe, marker of cellular leakage) were performed to measure VP objectively. Results: Hematocrit (P < 0.01), hemoglobin (P = 0.003), and ascites (P = 0.005) were significantly lower on d 4 and 6 after treatment with Cb2 as compared with placebo. The incidence of moderate OHSS was 20.0 and 43.8%, respectively (P = 0.04). Magnetic resonance studies showed an increase in VP and extravascular leakage of fluid 5 d after human chorionic gonadotropin injection that was significantly prevented with Cb2 (KtransP = 0.04 and υeP = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Given that Cb2 is a well-established and safe medication, this study provides proof of concept for the use of dopamine agonists in the prevention of OHSS in women undergoing assisted reproduction.