Relationship of ovarian stimulation response with vascular endothelial growth factor and degree of granulosa cell apoptosis.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in follicular fluid and in granulosa cell cultures in relation to the degree of apoptosis in granulosa cells from patients with different types of ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.


METHODS
We studied 30 women who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and oocyte retrieval. Group A comprised patients with 1-4 follicles (n = 10), group B patients with 5-14 follicles (n = 10) and group C patients with >15 follicles (n = 10).


RESULTS
Mean (+/-SD) VEGF concentrations in follicular fluid were 1232 +/- 209, 813 +/- 198 and 396 +/- 103 pg/ml for groups A, B and C respectively (P > 0.01). Concentrations of VEGF in granulosa cell supernatant were 684 +/- 316, 1101 +/- 295 and 1596 +/- 227 pg/ml respectively (P < 0.05). Percentages of apoptotic cells in granulosa cells culture was 55.02 +/- 7.5, 23.98 +/- 4.4 and 14.2 +/- 2.3% respectively (A versus B, P < 0.01, A versus C, P < 0.006, B versus C, NS).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings showed that in patients with decreased ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, follicular fluid VEGF concentration is elevated, the concentration from granulosa cells culture supernatant is decreased and the percentage of apoptotic granulosa cells is increased, while opposite findings occurred in patients with normal or hyper-responses.
Quintana
R
R
Instituto de Ginecología y Fertilidad (IFER), Buenos Aires 1122 , Argentina. ifer@velocom.com.ar
Kopcow
L
L
Marconi
G
G
Sueldo
C
C
Speranza
G
G
Barañao
R I
RI
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; 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