Increased mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor (flt-1) in the hydrosalpinx.
BACKGROUND
The adverse effects of hydrosalpinx on the outcomes of IVF have been well documented, but the mechanisms of hydrosalpinx fluid formation remain unclear. This study compares the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (KDR and flt-1) in the hydrosalpinx with that in the healthy oviduct.


METHODS
Oviduct tissue was collected from 10 infertile women with hydrosalpinx and 10 parous women with healthy oviduct. The mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors in isolated oviduct epithelial cells were analysed using semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR.


RESULTS
mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptor flt-1 in the hydrosalpinx was significantly higher than that in the healthy oviduct, but no significant difference was demonstrated for the KDR receptor.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the notion that VEGF may play an important role in the hydrosalpinx fluid formation, possibly by promoting vascular and epithelial permeability and therefore serum transudation.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong. Lampomui@cuhk.edu.hk
Po Mui
PM
Lam
Christine
C
Briton-Jones
Che Kwok
CK
Cheung
Lai See
LS
Po
Lai Ping
LP
Cheung
Christopher
C
Haines
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2