Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in follicular fluid obtained from IVF-ET patients: a comparison of hMG, clomiphene citrate, and natural cycle.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations of follicular fluid (FF) in accordance with an ovarian stimulation protocol and ovarian response. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 38 patients undergoing IVF-ET in our hospital. They were divided into three groups according to ovarian stimulation protocols; Group 1: hMG cycles (n = 19), Group 2: clomiphene citrate cycles (n = 10), Group 3: natural cycles (n = 9). They reclassified into three groups according to the number of oocytes harvested. VEGF concentration was measured in FF, employing ELISAs. RESULTS: Group 1 shows lower VEGF concentrations in FF than Group 2 or Group 3. Excluding high responders from Group 1, no difference was found among these three groups. As for the reclassified groups, group of highest number of oocytes havested showed lowest VEGF concentrations in FF. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF concentrations in FF might negatively correlate with the number of follicles, irrespective of the ovulation induction protocol.