Angiogenesis of the ovary

We present current data pertaining to angiogenesis of the ovary throughout the follicular and luteal phases of the ovarian cycle, in various ovarian p athologic conditions and in benign and neoplastic diseases. MEDLINE, Curren t Contents, and Index Medicus were searched for studies published between J anuary 1966 and October 1998. All studies that incorporated human and anima l models of angiogenesis of the normal ovarian physiologic state and pathol ogic conditions including both benign and neoplastic ovarian diseases were reviewed. Current literature supports that angiogenesis is an important com ponent of both follicular and luteal phases of the ovarian cycle that corre lates well with maturation of secretory endometrium. Angiogenesis also part icipates in various pathologic processes of the ovary, including follicular cyst formation, polycystic ovary, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and b oth benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms. In the future a knowledge of sp ecific angiogenic patterns of various pathologic processes may assist in th e application of antiangiogenic medications in targeted therapy of benign a nd neoplastic diseases of the ovary.