The level of vascular endothelial cell growth factor, nitric oxide, and endothelin-1 was correlated with ovarian volume or antral follicle counts: A potential predictor of pregnancy outcome in IVF

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the concentrations of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO), or endothelin-1 (ET-1) in follicular fluid with antral follicle counts (AFCs) or ovarian volume in order to predict the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF). One hundred and thirty-one patients were enrolled in this study, and the pregnancy rate was 37.4%. The concentration of VEGF or NO was significantly increased, while the concentration of ET-1 in follicular fluid was decreased in the group who became pregnant (P < 0.05). The ovarian volume or AFC was significantly higher in groups that became pregnant (P < 0.05). In addition, the ovarian volume or AFC was positively correlated with the concentration of VEGF or NO and negatively correlated with the concentration of ET-1 in follicular fluid. Our data suggest that these correlations may be associated with the successful pregnancies through IVF.

Keywords::

• Ovarian response
• ovarian volume
• antral follicle count
• NO
• ET-1
• VEGF

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Prof. Larry Chamley from The University of Auckland, New Zealand, for his helpful advice on this study and for reviewing this manuscript.

Declaration of interest: This study was supported by an Endeavour Research Fellowship (Shanghai Genetics and Infertility Institute) and The Research Committee of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.