Follicular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations are increased during GnRH antagonist/FSH ovarian stimulation cycles.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of GnRH antagonists (GnRH-ant) on follicular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor (FF VEGF).


METHODS
Sixty women undergoing assisted reproduction were randomised (computer-generated randomisation list) and assigned to two different GnRH analogue regimens: GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) (Group A; n = 30) and GnRH-ant (Group B; n = 30).


RESULTS
Mean (+/-S.D.) FF VEGF concentrations were 1598+/-612 pg/mL and 2906+/-1558 pg/mL for Groups A and B, respectively (p < 0.001). In the women treated with GnRH-ant, we found a statistically significant reduction in serum LH levels (1.72+/-0.74 IU/L in Group A versus 0.93+/-0.43 IU/L in Group B, p < 0.001), in serum oestradiol (E2) levels (1562.1+/-410.7 pg/mL in Group A versus 1214.67+/-779.9 pg/mL in Group B, p < 0.05), in FF E2 levels (1146+/-593 ng/mL in Group A versus 621+/-435 ng/mL in Group B, p < 0.05), and in FF androstenedione levels (136+/-55 ng/mL in Group A versus 78+/-31 ng/mL in Group B, p < 0.001), as well as a reduction in the number of pregnancies, though not statistically significant (23.3% in Group A versus 16.6% in Group B).


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in FF VEGF levels in women treated with GnRH-ant might be explained by a suppression of LH and E2 levels.
Ferrari
B
B
Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43100 Parma, Italy. bruno.ferrari@unipr.it
Pezzuto
A
A
Barusi
L
L
Coppola
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; C062876:cetrorelix