Vascular endothelial growth factor levels in serum and follicular fluid of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To define the relationship between serum and follicular fluid (FF) levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), E2, and P in patients undergoing IVF; to quantify the effects of hCG on serum levels of VEGF during early pregnancy, and to report serial measurements of serum and ascites fluid levels of VEGF in a patient with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
University IVF program.


METHODS
Women undergoing conventional IVF, receiving donated oocytes or spontaneously conceiving. One patient hospitalized with severe OHSS.


METHODS
Concentrations of VEGF, E2, and P in serum, FF, or peritoneal fluid.


RESULTS
At the time of egg retrieval, FF VEGF concentrations were positively correlated with serum and FF P concentrations and with patient age. At 11 to 14 days after ET, pregnant recipients of autologous fresh embryos had higher serum VEGF levels than both nonpregnant recipients of autologous fresh embryos and pregnant recipients of donor eggs. Elevated serum VEGF levels in a patient with severe OHSS coincided with the clinical onset and recurrence of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients undergoing IVF, FF VEGF levels at the time of egg retrieval correlated with the degree of follicular luteinization. There is a significant ovarian contribution to circulating VEGF levels during early gestation. Elevated serum VEGF levels may be a factor in the etiology of OHSS symptoms.
Lee
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
Christenson
L K
LK
Stouffer
R L
RL
Burry
K A
KA
Patton
P E
PE
D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol