Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), placental growth factor (PlGF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in serum from women undergoing frozen embryo transfer

Abstract

VEGFA, PlGF and IGF-1 are three main angiogenic factors which play significant roles in embryo implantation. However, the relationship between serum expressions of VEGFA, PlGF and IGF-1 and pregnancy outcomes has not been fully illustrated. In this study, serum specimens were collected precisely on day 7 after the LH surge in a natural non-conception cycle from 38 infertile patients who underwent frozen embryo transfer (FET) treatment. ELISA was used to determine the concentrations of VEGFA, PlGF and IGF-1. Serum levels of VEGFA, PlGF and IGF-1 were compared between patients who conceived (n=25) and who did not (n=13). Correlation and linear regression analyses were used to investigate the correlations of serum angiogenic factors and β-hCG MoM levels in the pregnant group. The results demonstrated that no significant difference was found in serum VEGFA, PlGF or IGF-1 concentration between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between IGF-1 concentration and β-hCG level in pregnant participants (r_s = 0.490, p = 0.013). In conclusion, serum IGF-1 level correlated positively with β-hCG level in pregnant women, which may provide information on the prognostic value of IGF-1 in this group of women.

Keywords:

• Infertility
• insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
• placental growth factor (PlGF)
• pregnancy outcome
• vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Hong Kong Health and Medical Research Fund (06170186), Shenzhen Key Medical Discipline Construction Fund (SZXK028) and Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province of China (Grant No. 2020A1515110082).