title: Importance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ovarian physiology of mammals.
abstract: Ovarian folliculogenesis in mammals is a complex process. Several compounds have been tested during in vitro culture of follicular cells for a better understanding of the mechanisms and factors related to ovarian folliculogenesis in mammals. From these compounds, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can be highlighted, as it is strongly associated with angiogenesis and, in recent years, its presence in ovarian cells has been investigated extensively. Previous studies have shown that the presence of VEGF protein, as well as mRNA expression of its receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) increases during follicular development. Therefore, it is likely that the interaction between VEGF and VEGFR-2 is crucial to promote follicular development. However, few studies on the influence of this factor on follicular development have been reported. This review addresses aspects related to the structural characterization and mechanism of action of VEGF and its receptors, and their biological importance in the ovary of mammals.
authors: Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE), Faculdade de Veterinária (FAVET), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias (PPGCV), Laboratório de Manipulação de Oócitos e Folículos Pré-Antrais (LAMOFOPA), Av. Paranjana, 1700, Campus do Itaperi, Fortaleza-CE-Brasil, CEP: 60740-930 Brasil. val_exclusiva@yahoo.com.br
authors: Valdevane Rocha
authors: VR
authors: Araújo
authors: Ana Beatriz Graça
authors: AB
authors: Duarte
authors: Jamily Bezerra
authors: JB
authors: Bruno
authors: Cláudio Afonso
authors: CA
authors: Pinho Lopes
authors: José Ricardo
authors: JR
authors: de Figueiredo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor