VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR (VEGF) CONCENTRATIONS ARE ELEVATEDIN PERITONEAL-FLUID OF WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

Active endometriosis is characterized by hypervascularization both wit hin and surrounding the implant; therefore the presence of angiogenic factors in the peritoneal environment would be of great importance. Va scular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor involved in both physiological and pathological angiogenesis. We sough t to determine if VEGF was present in the peritoneal fluid of women wi th and without endometriosis, and to establish if differences exist be tween these groups. VEGF was present in all patients sampled. The flui d from patients with endometriosis contained significantly greater amo unts of VEGF than controls, Cyclic variations in VEGF concentration we re seen in fluid from patients with endometriosis, the VEGF concentrat ion in proliferative phase being significantly higher than in the secr etory phase. The concentration of VEGF in this fluid was also signific antly higher than that found in the proliferative and secretory phases of women without endometriosis, No cyclic variations in VEGF were see n in the control group, We suggest that elevated levels of VEGF in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis may be critical in th e pathogenesis of endometriosis.