title: Do Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Have Any Roles in Intrauterine Device Mechanism of Action? An Experimental Rat Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression as markers of intrauterine device (IUD) efficacy in a rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty nulliparous female Wistar rats were divided into two groups with 10 animals per group: group I (IUD) and group II (control group, no IUD). In group I, a 2-cm 3-0 silk suture was placed into one horn of the rat bicornuate uterus. On day 20 (after IUD insertion) rats were sacrificed and their uteri removed. The number of vessels and the distribution of LIF and VEGF were compared among the uterine horns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in LIF and VEGF expression in the groups and all horns (p > 0.05). The number of vessels was higher in the IUD+ horn than in the IUD- horn of group I and in the horn of group II (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of vessels between the IUD- horns of groups I and II (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LIF and VEGF expression did not correlate with IUD efficacy in a rat model. An IUD may increase the number of vessels in the uterine horn independent of VEGF expression. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cakmak
authors.forename: Sinan Sabit
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ozalp
authors.forename: Mustafa Fuat
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Acikalin
authors.forename: Mehmet Can
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Nacar