Concentrations of angiogenic factors in follicular fluid and oocyte-cumulus complex culture medium from women undergoing in vitro fertilization: association with oocyte maturity and fertilization

Objective: To determine the concentration of angiogenic factors (vascular e ndothelial growth factor [VEGF], basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF], and angiogenin) in the follicular fluid (FF) and oocyte-cumulus complex cultur e medium (CM) of women undergoing IVF and to investigate the association of the concentrations with the maturity and fertilization of the oocyte. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Academic tertiary-care institution. Patient(s): IVF patients with unexplained or tubal factor infertility. Intervention(s): Analysis of VEGF, bFGF, and angiogenin FF and CM concentra tions. Main Outcome Measure(s): Oocyte maturity and fertilization and FF and CM an giogenic factor concentrations. Result(s): VEGF, bFGF, and angiogenin were determined in FF and CM. FF angi ogenin concentrations were significantly higher when the oocyte was mature versus immature. CM VEGF concentrations were significantly higher when the oocyte was nonfertilized versus fertilized. Positive correlations were obse rved between angiogenic factors in CM. Conclusion(s): VEGF, bFGF, and angiogenin (determined for the. first time) are secreted in the FF and CM. Elevated CM VEGF concentrations, probably im plying oocyte-cumulus complex hypoxia, are negatively associated with oocyt e fertilization. Elevated FF angiogenin concentrations are positively assoc iated with oocyte maturity, possibly indicating angiogenin's biological rol e beyond neovascularization. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.