Increased messenger RNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the implantation site of the human oviduct with ectopic gestation.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (KDR and flt-1) in the implantation and nonimplantation sites of the human oviduct with ectopic gestation.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
University-based Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.


METHODS
Ten women undergoing laparoscopic salpingectomy for tubal pregnancy.


METHODS
The mucosal layer was isolated from the implantation and nonimplantation sites of the oviduct tissue with ectopic gestation. Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed.


METHODS
The differences in the mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors between the implantation and nonimplantation sites of the oviduct tissue.


RESULTS
The mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors, both KDR and flt-1, was significantly higher in the implantation site of the human oviduct with ectopic gestation compared with the nonimplantation site.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that VEGF may be the angiogenic factor responsible for the implantation and placentation of an ectopic pregnancy in the oviduct.
Lam
Po Mui
PM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China. lampomui@cuhk.edu.hk
Briton-Jones
Christine
C
Cheung
Che Kwok
CK
Leung
See Wai
SW
Cheung
Lai Ping
LP
Haines
Christopher
C
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000235:genetics; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor