Vascular endothelial growth factor and inhibin A in follicular fluid of infertile patients who underwent in vitro fertilization with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, minimal stimulation protocol, in the follicular fluid by measuring vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibin A.


METHODS
A cross-sectional prospective study.


METHODS
Academic hospital.


METHODS
Seventy infertile patients submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF).


METHODS
Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (study) included 30 infertile patients subjected to IVF with a GnRH antagonist (minimal stimulation protocol); group 2 (control) included 40 infertile women who underwent natural-cycle IVF.


METHODS
Follicular fluid VEGF and inhibin A measurements.


RESULTS
The groups were comparable in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), and infertility characteristics. Moreover, follicular fluid VEGF and inhibin A concentrations (medians) were, respectively, 776 pg/ml (95% confidence interval [CI]: 775-1483) and 3,115 pg/mL (95% CI: 1,349-2,502) for group 1; 1,187.50 pg/mL (95% CI: 1,020-1,560) and 3,123.00 pg/mL (95% CI: 1,888-2,735) for group 2 (P>.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that GnRH antagonist administration in infertile patients undergoing IVF did not alter the follicular fluid content of VEGF and inhibin A, and, probably, maturation and quality of oocytes as well. These results demonstrated the usefulness and safety of this drug on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols.
Cunha-Filho
João Sabino
JS
Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcellos 2350-11 andar, Porto Alegre, RGS, Brazil. sabino@via-rs.net
Lemos
Nadiane
N
Stein
Nina
N
Laranjeira
Andréia
A
Passos
Eduardo Pandolfi
EP
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C422362:inhibin A; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007265:Inhibins