[Exacerbation of a schizoaffective psychosis after in vitro fertilization with leuproreline acetate].

Leuproreline acetate is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog which is used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. This compound suppresses gonadal estrogen secretion prior to hormonal stimulation. We report a 37-year-old woman who suffered from a schizoaffective psychosis for several years. She received IVF treatment with leuproreline acetate (Uno-Enantone) because of primary infertility. Under this treatment she developed acute schizoaffective symptoms. Suppression of gonadal secretion can result in exacerbation of schizophrenic psychosis, which is in line with the hypothesis of protective effects of estrogen in schizophrenia. We recommend that IVF treatment with leuproreline acetate in patients with psychiatric disorders be initiated only with special attention to their mental condition. In addition, patients should be informed about the possible mental effects of the treatment.