Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist administration reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors, and vascular permeability of the ovaries of hyperstimulated rats.
OBJECTIVE
Using hyperstimulated rats, to elucidate the mechanisms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) treatment to prevent early ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).


METHODS
Descriptive study of hyperstimulated rats as an early OHSS model with Western blot analysis, Northern blot hybridization, and vascular permeability assay.


METHODS
Experimental laboratory research.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley female rats were used for collecting ovarian samples.


METHODS
Hyperstimulated rats received consecutive GnRH-a treatment from the start of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) treatment through 2 days after hCG administration.


METHODS
Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1: Flt-1), VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2: KDR/Flk-1), and vascular permeability by Evans blue leakage.


RESULTS
GnRH-a treatment significantly reduced expressions of VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 both in mRNA and protein levels in the ovaries of hyperstimulated rats. GnRH-a treatment also reduced vascular permeability in the ovaries of hyperstimulated rats.


CONCLUSIONS
It is speculated that GnRH-a treatment may prevent early OHSS by reducing vascular permeability through the decrease in VEGF and its receptors.
Kitajima
Yoshimitsu
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan.
Endo
Toshiaki
T
Manase
Kengo
K
Nishikawa
Akira
A
Shibuya
Masabumi
M
Kudo
Ryuichi
R
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005070:Evans Blue; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000494:pharmacology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D006728:Hormones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D005070:Evans Blue; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D016729:Leuprolide