Investigation of effect of quercetin on structural and vascular changes in experimental ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome model

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a serious iatrogenic complication that can occur during assisted reproductive techniques. There is no specific treatment for OHSS. More research is needed to elucidate the pathophysiology behind the condition and to find a permanent treatment for it. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of quercetin on ovarian morphology and related VEGF/VEGFR-2 expression and IL-6 level rat model of OHSS. 28 immature female Wistar Albino rats, 21-22 days old, were randomly divided into 4 groups (Control, KOH, OHSS and OHSS+Quercetin), 7 in each group. Hematoxylin-Eosin, Periodic acid Schift staining for histo-morphological examination of ovarian tissue and immunohistochemical staining for evaluation of VEGFA and VEGFR-2 expression, ELISA analyzes to determine the concentration of IL-6, VEGFA in the peritoneal fluid and E2 in the serum were performed. Body weight, ovarian weight and diameters, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-6 levels of peritoneal fluid, serum E2 levels, and ovarian expression of VEGFA and VEGFR-2 were compared between the groups. Ovarian weights and diameters, peritoneal fluid levels of VEGFA and IL-6 and ovarian VEGFA, VEGFR-2 expression were found to be significantly lower in quercetin-treated rats than in the untreated OHSS group. In addition, when the structures in the ovary were evaluated, it was found that quercetin administration significantly decreased the number of corpus luteum and cystic structures compared to the group with OHSS, and increased the number of atretic follicles. It was determined that quercetin has effects that reduce OHSS findings. It has been demonstrated that the use of quercetin can be effective both in the prevention and control of OHSS.