Endometrial fluid collection in women with PCOS undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF. A report of four cases.

BACKGROUND: The presence of endometrial fluid collections' developing during ovarian-stimulation was previously reported to occur in women with hydrosalpinx. We report on the occurrence of endometrial fluid collections in four women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. CASES: Four women developed endometrial fluid collections during ovarian stimulation. These fluid collections were noted as early as day 5 of stimulation. The reproductive outcome when fluid collections were noted on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or of embryo transfer (ET) was poor. One of three women with fluid collection on the day of hCG conceived but had a missed abortion. One patient with fluid on the day of ET failed to conceive. Three of four patients who underwent repeat cycles conceived when no fluid collections were seen on day of hCG or ET.
CONCLUSION: Abnormal endometrial milieu could be an underlying defect in some women with PCOS and chronic anovulation who fail to conceive with ovulation-induction agents. This is the first report of endometrial fluid collections in patients with PCOS in the absence of hydrosalpinx. Continuous monitoring of the endometrial lining during ovulation induction is mandatory to rule out any abnormality in endometrial development. Cryopreserving all embryos may be considering in cycles with fluid collections noted on the day hCG or ET.