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Box 1.  

Deleterious Effects Described in Obese Women Undergoing IVF

Impact of Bodyweight and Lifestyle on IVF Outcome: Cocaine

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Cocaine

Cocaine use has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage,[187,188] probably through the vasoconstriction produced by the inhibition of the reuptake of norepinephrine. No other relationship with infertility has been demonstrated.[189]

There is no report of the effects of cocaine on IVF in humans. Using an animal model, one study showed that daily subcutaneous cocaine administration at four different doses prior to hCG administration in rabbits undergoing ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophins did not affect the number of follicles present, number of oocytes retrieved, or IVF cleavage rates. However, it did decrease progesterone concentrations in serum and follicular fluid, while estradiol concentrations in follicular fluid were found to increase, suggesting that short-time cocaine exposure could affect the follicular steroid milieu, possibly by delaying granulosa cell luteinization.[190]

Cocaine is related to several complications during pregnancy such as placental abruption and stillbirth.[191] Hence, its consumption should be discouraged in women, at least from the moment of conception.

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