title: In vitro fertilization: angiogenic, proliferative, and apoptotic factors in the follicular fluid.
abstract: The studies reported investigated the concentrations of angiogenic, proliferative, and apoptotic factors in the follicular fluid (FF) of individual follicles, aspirated from women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using a long protocol for IVF treatment. Furthermore, the association of the concentrations of the preceding factors with oocyte maturity was studied. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), angiogenin, tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS), and soluble Fas (sFas) were all found in the FF of all follicles examined. Moreover, from the angiogenic factors only angiogenin concentrations, and from the apoptotic factors sFas concentrations (the soluble form expressing rather an antiapoptotic function), were positively associated with oocyte maturity, possibly indicating angiogenin's biological role beyond neovascularization and a lower apoptotic rate allowing oocytes to mature. Last, the abundant expression of TPS in FF may be indicative of intense cell proliferation, in cases of ovarian stimulation.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, 19 Soultani Street, GR-10682 Athens, Greece. malamitsi@aias.gr
authors.forename: Ariadne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malamitsi-Puchner
authors.forename: Angeliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarandakou
authors.forename: Stavroula
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baka
authors.forename: Demetrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hasiakos
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kouskouni
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Creatsas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D012016:Reference Values; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C089984:tissue polypeptide specific antigen; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; C046366:angiogenin; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic