Regulation of the ovarian follicular vasculature.
Angiogenesis is associated with follicular development and is regulated independently within each follicle potentially making the functioning of its vasculature critically important in determining its fate. This review examines the various ways in which follicular angiogenesis may be monitored, describes the follicular localisation and changes in pro- and anti-angiogenic factors that may regulate the process and how antagonists may be used to elucidate their physiological role in vivo. Thus, inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor-2, vascular endothelial cell cadherin or interference with the angiopoietin system can inhibit follicular development or prevent ovulation.
Fraser
Hamish M
HM
MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK. h.fraser@hrsu.mrc.ac.uk
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000502:physiology; D002144:Callithrix; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D015820:Cadherins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2