Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists increase follicular fluid insulin-like growth factor-I and vascular endothelial growth factor during ovarian stimulation cycles

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2006 Jun;22(6):289-96. doi: 10.1080/09513590600777602.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists (GnRH-ant) on follicular fluid (FF) insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and FF vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. Sixty women undergoing assisted reproduction were randomized and assigned to two different GnRH analog regimens: GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) and GnRH-ant. FF VEGF and FF IGF-I concentrations were significantly increased in the patients treated with GnRH-ant (p < 0.001). In the same patients we observed a statistically significant reduction in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) levels (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively), FF E2 and FF androstenedione levels (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively), as well as a reduction in the number of pregnancies although this was not statistically significant. In the GnRH-ant group, FF VEGF levels were positively correlated with FF IGF-I levels, and both were negatively correlated with serum LH levels. The increase in FF IGF-I and FF VEGF levels in women treated with GnRH-ant could be explained by a deleterious follicular environment in response to profound suppression of LH and E2 levels.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Androstenedione / blood
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / administration & dosage
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Female
  • Follicular Fluid / chemistry*
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / administration & dosage
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / agonists
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / analogs & derivatives
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Humans
  • Infertility / therapy
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / analysis*
  • Leuprolide / administration & dosage
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Ovulation Induction / methods*
  • Pregnancy
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis*

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Androstenedione
  • Estradiol
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Leuprolide
  • cetrorelix