Ovarian hyperresponse to luteal phase GnRH-agonist administration

Introduction: Herein we report a case of ovarian hyperresponse after luteal phase GnRH-agonist administration in a woman planning to undergo ovarian stimulation for IVF in a long GnRH-agonist protocol. Materials and methods: A normogonadotropic 25-year-old woman undergoing ICSI treatment for male factor infertility underwent three cycles of controlled ovarian stimulation, two in a GnRH-antagonist protocol, one in a long luteal GnRH-agonist protocol. Results: In the first GnRH-antagonist cycle, ovarian stimulation was performed with 150 IE recombinant FSH and 22 oocytes were retrieved. In the second GnRH-antagonist cycle using the same protocol, six oocytes were retrieved. The estradiol levels on the day of hCG administration were 3,692 and 3,209 pg/ml, respectively. In a third cycle, 3.75 mg triptorelin was administered in the luteal phase and the patient showed ovarian hyperresponse to the endogenous gonadotropin flare with estradiol levels of 19,102 pg/ml, abdominal distension and discomfort, and massive bilateral ovarian enlargement (total ovarian volume 268 cm³). Ovarian cysts persisted for 4 weeks and necessitated cyst aspiration before further treatment. Conclusion: The flare-up effect of GnRH-agonist administration can, in rare cases, cause massive ovarian hyperresponse with associated health risks and significant postponement of treatment.