Concentrations of stromal cell-derived factor-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in relation to the diameter of human follicles.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the concentrations of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in individual human preovulatory follicles in relation to their diameter or volume for clarifying the role of these molecules in folliculogenesis.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Research laboratory at Kansai Medical University.


METHODS
Twenty-seven women undergoing IVF.


METHODS
Follicular fluid (FF) was collected from individual follicles. A total of 373 follicles were analyzed.


METHODS
The concentrations of SDF-1 and VEGF in FF and oocyte recovery rates.


RESULTS
The concentrations of SDF-1 and VEGF in follicles with a diameter ≤ 14 mm were significantly lower than those in follicles with a diameter ≥ 15 mm. The concentrations of SDF-1 and VEGF in FF increased with follicular diameters or volume, with concentrations peaking in follicles with a diameter of 18-20 mm or a volume of 3.6-5.0 mL. Furthermore, we found that there exists a positive correlation between the concentrations of SDF-1 and VEGF in FF from follicles ≤ 20 mm in diameter. The oocyte recovery rates increased with concentrations of SDF-1 and VEGF in FF.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that SDF-1, as well as VEGF, may play an important role in follicular growth and development.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.
Akemi
A
Nishigaki
Hidetaka
H
Okada
Rika
R
Okamoto
Syusei
S
Sugiyama
Kazunori
K
Miyazaki
Katsuhiko
K
Yasuda
Hideharu
H
Kanzaki
D000328:Adult; D048429:Cell Size; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011379:Prognosis; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D054928:Validation Studies as Topic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D011506:Proteins; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A