Human Reproduction, Vol. 18, No. 11, 2264-2269,
November 2003
© 2003 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Increased mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor (flt-1) in the hydrosalpinx
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) and 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, 3032 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong. e-mail: Lampomui{at}cuhk.edu.hk
BACKGROUND: The adverse effects of hydrosalpinx on the outcomes of IVF have been well documented, but the mechanisms of hydrosalpinx fluid formation remain unclear. This study compares the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (KDR and flt-1) in the hydrosalpinx with that in the healthy oviduct. METHODS: Oviduct tissue was collected from 10 infertile women with hydrosalpinx and 10 parous women with healthy oviduct. The mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors in isolated oviduct epithelial cells were analysed using semi-quantitative reversetranscriptase PCR. RESULTS: mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptor flt-1 in the hydrosalpinx was significantly higher than that in the healthy oviduct, but no significant difference was demonstrated for the KDR receptor. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the notion that VEGF may play an important role in the hydrosalpinx fluid formation, possibly by promoting vascular and epithelial permeability and therefore serum transudation.
Key words: hydrosalpinx/mRNA/RTPCR/VEGF