Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in follicular fluid obtained from IVF-ET patients: a comparison of hMG, clomiphene citrate, and natural cycle.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations of follicular fluid (FF) in accordance with an ovarian stimulation protocol and ovarian response.


METHODS
The subjects of this study were 38 patients undergoing IVF-ET in our hospital. They were divided into three groups according to ovarian stimulation protocols; Group 1: hMG cycles (n = 19), Group 2: clomiphene citrate cycles (n = 10), Group 3: natural cycles (n = 9). They reclassified into three groups according to the number of oocytes harvested. VEGF concentration was measured in FF, employing ELISAs.


RESULTS
Group 1 shows lower VEGF concentrations in FF than Group 2 or Group 3. Excluding high responders from Group 1, no difference was found among these three groups. As for the reclassified groups, group of highest number of oocytes havested showed lowest VEGF concentrations in FF.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF concentrations in FF might negatively correlate with the number of follicles, irrespective of the ovulation induction protocol.
Tokuyama
Osamu
O
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Medical School, Abeno, Osaka, Japan.
Nakamura
Yoshihiro
Y
Muso
Ayako
A
Fujino
Yuji
Y
Ishiko
Osamu
O
Ogita
Sachio
S
D000328:Adult; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008596:Menotropins / Q000494:pharmacology*; 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; D002996:Clomiphene; D008596:Menotropins