Follicular fluid concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor, inhibin A and inhibin B in IVF cycles: are they markers for ovarian response and pregnancy outcome?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to measure concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), inhibin A and inhibin B in follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing to in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and to determine their relationship with ovarian response and pregnancy.


METHODS
Follicular fluid was collected from 58 patients undergoing oocyte retrieval for IVF. Ovulation was induced with GnRH analogues and gonadotropins. Follicular fluids of mature follicles (>17 mm) were aspirated and pooled for each patient. Follicular fluid steroid hormone levels (E2, P) and VEGF, inhibin A, inhibin B concentrations were studied. The serum levels of E2, P and VEGF were also assessed on the day of the oocyte retrieval. These parameters and characteristics of the cycles were compared between the pregnant (group 1) and non pregnant (group 2) patients.


RESULTS
The serum and FF VEGF levels were found to be significantly lower in the group in whom the pregnancy was achieved (P < 0.001). The FF inhibin A and FF inhibin B were found to be significantly higher in pregnant group (P < 0.001). However, age, day 3 FSH, dosage of gonadotropin administered, fertilization rate, sperm count, motile and morphologically normal sperm percentage were not significantly different in the two groups. There was an negative correlation between VEGF and number of follicles, number of oocytes, FF inhibin A, FF inhibin B. The number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rate were positively correlated with FF inhibin B and FF inhibin A.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that decreased FF VEGF, serum VEGF and elevated FF inhibin A and B are associated with better ovarian response and high pregnancy rate.
Ocal
Pelin
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, ART Unit, Turkey. ocal-pelin@lycos.com
Aydin
Seval
S
Cepni
Ismail
I
Idil
Sevda
S
Idil
Mehmet
M
Uzun
Hafize
H
Benian
Ali
A
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000032:analysis*; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C422362:inhibin A; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins