Regulation and manipulation of angiogenesis in the primate corpus luteum.
Intense physiological angiogenesis occurs during the early stages of luteal development, providing a model in which the complex processes regulating the angiogenic pathway may be studied. Here, a working hypothesis is presented to explain the diverse changes in the vasculature of the corpus luteum that occur over a short period, based around changes in vascular endothelial growth factor, the angiopoietins and matrix metalloproteinases. An illustration is given of how angiogenesis can be monitored in a primate model and how the role of individual angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor may be explored in vivo. Because of the marked effect of inhibition of angiogenesis on luteal function, it is predicted that the normal processes of follicular development, ovulation and luteal function could all be profoundly influenced by the manipulation of angiogenesis.
MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, 37 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh EH3 9ET, UK. h.fraser@hrsu.mrc.ac.uk
H M
HM
Fraser
S F
SF
Lunn
D000818:Animals; D002144:Callithrix; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010053:Ovary / 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