Immunohistochemical detection of transforming growth factor-α, epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in hyperstimulated rat ovary

Ozcakir H.T.; Giray S.G.; Ozbilgin M.K.; Uyar Y.; Lacin S.; Caglar H.

Immunohistochemical detection of transforming growth factor-α, epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in hyperstimulated rat ovary

Date

2005

Authors

Abstract

Objective. The aim of the present study is to figure out the immunohistochemical expression of transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hyperstimulated rat ovaries. Methods. Twenty Wistar-Albino adult female rats (250-300 g) were taken into the study. The animals were randomly divided into two groups, each containing 10 rats: (i) stimulation group and (ii) control group. In the stimulation group, a stimulation regimen was administered to induce follicular maturity and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) at the end using a 30-IU follicle-stimulating hormone that was administered subcutaneously for 4 consecutive days, followed by a 30-IU human chorionic gonadotropin on day 5 to induce ovulation. The rats, in the control group, received 0.2ml of 0.9% NaCl for 5 consecutive days to mimic the conditions of the study animals. At the end of the treatment period, all rats underwent ovariectomy and the sections of ovaries were stained for the TGF-α, EGF, and VEGF. Results. The expression of TGF-α, EGF, and VEGF in the endothelium, the stroma, the granulosa cells, and the corpus luteum was found to be significantly higher in the stimulated group, compared to that in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion. TGF-α, EGF, and VEGF are found to have increased in the hyperstimulated ovaries and this finding seems to be involved in the OHSS pathogenesis. © Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2005.