title: Circulating angiogenic factors during periovulation and the luteal phase of normal menstrual cycles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure serial serum concentrations of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and angiogenin (ANG) in the periovulatory and secretory phase of normal menstrual cycles in healthy women and to determine their peaks, which might reflect the stage of their critical angiogenic action.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University departments of obstetrics and gynecology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three healthy Swedish women with regular menstrual cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serial blood samples were collected from each woman. Luteinizing hormone surge was identified by testing morning urine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Circulating levels of VEGF, bFGF, and ANG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Circulating peak concentrations were determined for VEGF on day 0 and 9 after ovulation, for bFGF on day 1 before ovulation and day 9 after ovulation, and for ANG on day 3 after ovulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulating VEGF increased in a stage-dependent cyclic fashion. Basic FGF peaked during the late proliferative and mid secretory phase. Circulating ANG showed increased expression around the early secretory phase of the cycle.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Goudi, 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: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tziotis
authors.forename: Anneli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stavreus-Evers
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tzonou
authors.forename: Britt-Marie
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Landgren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood*; D010060:Ovulation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / Q000097:blood*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; C046366:angiogenin; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic