Serum vascular endothelial growth factor and Doppler blood flow velocities in in vitro fertilization: relevance to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and polycystic ovaries.
OBJECTIVE
To relate changes in serum and follicular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations to Doppler blood flow velocities within ovarian and uterine blood vessels during IVF cycles and to assess their relation to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and polycystic ovaries (PCO)/polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Prospective descriptive study.


METHODS
The London Women's Clinic.


METHODS
One hundred seven patients receiving a "long" stimulation protocol of IVF.


METHODS
Doppler blood flows were recorded in ovarian stromal and uterine arteries; serum VEGF was measured in the early follicular phase, after pituitary desensitization, on the day of hCG administration, on the day of oocyte retrieval, and on the day of ET.


METHODS
Serum and follicular fluid VEGF concentrations and Doppler blood flow measurements.


RESULTS
Serum VEGF concentrations rose after hCG administration. The rise was higher in women in whom OHSS developed. Women with PCO/PCOS had higher serum VEGF concentrations throughout the IVF cycle irrespective of whether OHSS developed. Follicular fluid VEGF concentrations were higher in women in whom OHSS developed and in women with PCO/PCOS. Doppler blood flow velocities in the ovarian blood vessels were higher in women in whom OHSS developed. Within ovarian and uterine blood vessels, blood flow velocities were higher in the early follicular phase and on the day of hCG administration in women with PCO/PCOS. A positive correlation was observed between the serum VEGF and E2 concentrations on the days of hCG administration and oocyte retrieval and between the serum VEGF concentration and Doppler blood flow velocities throughout the IVF cycle.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the role of VEGF as a mediator of OHSS and establish a possible link between VEGF, OHSS, and PCO.
Agrawal
R
R
University College London Medical School, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, The Middlesex Hospital, London Women's Clinic, United Kingdom. ganapaty@dircon.co.uk
Conway
G
G
Sladkevicius
P
P
Tan
S L
SL
Engmann
L
L
Payne
N
N
Bekir
J
J
Campbell
S
S
Jacobs
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors