By Jennifer Lahl, CBC National Director

I don’t have access to this article but I do find this curious given how much we wish to ignore the health risks posed to young otherwise healthy women who we want to “donate” their eggs. OHSS is a very real and risky syndrome associated with egg donation procedures and well acknowledged and established in the medical literature. To counter the risks of OHSS this new study indicates that prophylactic use of dopamine agonists might well mitigate this response. If anyone has access to the journal, Human Reproduction Update, I would like to read this study mentioned below:


“Meta-analysis Reiterates Efficacy of Dopamine Agonists in Reducing OHSS IncidencePosted on 18 June 2010.The signs and symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is attributed to elevated vascular permeability, resulting in fluid shift from capillaries to the third space. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is linked to this increase in vascular permeability, and hence its suppression may potentially prevent or reduce the severity of OHSS. Dopamine agonists, which block VEGF receptor 2 phosphorylation, have been suggested to decrease the incidence and severity of OHSS in IVF/ICSI cycles. A new systematic review and meta-analysis highlights the prophylactic action of dopamine agonists, such as cabergoline, in lowering the incidence of OHSS. The study findings have been published in the journal, Human Reproduction Update.”

How’s this for a plan to reduce OHSS. Stop super-ovulating women since OHSS is a totally preventable syndrome.

Author Profile

Jennifer Lahl, CBC Founder
Jennifer Lahl, CBC Founder
Jennifer Lahl, MA, BSN, RN, is founder and president of The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network. Lahl couples her 25 years of experience as a pediatric critical care nurse, a hospital administrator, and a senior-level nursing manager with a deep passion to speak for those who have no voice. Lahl’s writings have appeared in various publications including Cambridge University Press, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Dallas Morning News, and the American Journal of Bioethics. As a field expert, she is routinely interviewed on radio and television including ABC, CBS, PBS, and NPR. She is also called upon to speak alongside lawmakers and members of the scientific community, even being invited to speak to members of the European Parliament in Brussels to address issues of egg trafficking; she has three times addressed the United Nations during the Commission on the Status of Women on egg and womb trafficking.