Vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the follicular fluid of patients undergoing IVF

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to measure concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecu le-1 (PECAM-1) CD31 and vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1) in the fo llicular fluid of women treated with assisted reproduction technology to de termine whether these proteins might be outcome markers. METHODS: Follicula r fluid was collected from 75 patients less than or equal to 40 years under going oocyte retrieval procedures at our tertiary hospital during 1997 and 1998: 50 with tubal disease, 12 with endometriosis, and 13 whose partners h ad been diagnosed with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. This retrospect ive analysis considered age and information about treatment and outcome for all these women who had undergone fewer than three assisted reproduction a ttempts, RESULTS: Nineteen women became pregnant (defined by human chorioni c gonadotrophin concentrations and embryonic cardiac activity 1 month after follicular aspiration); 56 did not, Women did not differ significantly in their follicular fluid concentrations of VEGF, sCD31 and VCAM-1 according t o cause of infertility, or assisted reproduction outcome, or age. Follicula r fluid concentrations of VEGF were significantly correlated with the numbe r of gonadotrophin ampoules administered (P < 0.012), and follicular fluid concentrations of sVCAM-1 with the fertilization rate (P < 0.01). Follicula r fluid concentrations of VEGF and sVCAM-1 were also correlated (P < 0.007) , CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not suggest that VEGF, CD31, or sVCAM-1 in fo llicular fluid predict assisted reproduction outcome, especially among pati ents less than or equal to 40 years old. The correlation of a high fertiliz ation rate and sVCAM-1 in follicular fluid suggests that sVCAM-1 might be a marker of fertilization.