DOES OVARIAN STIMULATION FOR INVITRO FERTILIZATION INDUCE A HYPERCOAGULABLE STATE

Effects on blood coagulation and fibrinolytic activity during ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) were examined in 12 women. Blood samples were taken prior to hormonal stimulation (days 2-3 of the menstrual cycle, mean serum oestradiol concentration 0.16 nmol/l) and the day after ovulation induction with human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) (days 10-12, mean serum oestradiol concentration 5.35 nmol/l). We measured whole blood clotting time, whole blood clot lysis time, plasma fibrinogen, factor VII and antithrombin III. The whole blood clotting time was slightly, but not significantly shortened after ovarian stimulation. A significant rise in plasma fibrinogen (P < 0.001) and reduction in antithrombin III (P < 0.001) were observed, whereas no change in factor VII was found. The blood fibrinolytic activity was significantly reduced as evaluated by an increase in the clot lysis time (P < 0.02). These results indicate that ovarian stimulation for IVF may create a state of hypercoagulability.