{"paper_id":"d2009eb3-a4ee-433c-a550-32cb708838a5","body_text":"Evaluation of the prognostic role of placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 in the diagnosis of infertility in patients with endometriosis (pilot study)\n- Authors: Suleimanova S.T.1, Yarmolinskaya M.I.1, Sokolov D.I.1\n-\nAffiliations:\n- The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott\n- Issue: Vol 75, No 4 (2026)\n- Pages: 66-72\n- Section: Original study articles\n- Submitted: 19.06.2026\n- Accepted: 10.07.2026\n- Published: 25.08.2026\n- URL: https://journals.eco-vector.com/jowd/article/view/713571\n- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/JOWD713571\n- EDN: https://elibrary.ru/YNVCRJ\n- ID: 713571\nCite item\nAbstract\nBACKGROUND: Endometriosis plays a leading role in the impairment of fertility. An imbalance of angiogenic factors underlies the pathogenesis of infertility, however, the prognostic value of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) markers for assessing the risk of impaired fertility in patients with endometriosis remains poorly studied.\nAIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum sFlt-1 and PlGF levels, as well as the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, in patients with endometriosis, and to assess the predictive value of these parameters in the diagnosis of endometriosis-associated infertility.\nMETHODS: This pilot prospective study was conducted on 20 reproductive-aged patients with confirmed endometriosis. All patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (the main group) included patients with endometriosis and infertility (n = 10), and Group 2 included patients with endometriosis without fertility disorders (n = 10). Serum sFlt-1 and PlGF levels were assessed using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Cobas E 411, Roche). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test.\nRESULTS: In patients with infertility, PlGF level was lower than in patients without infertility: 11.28 (10.60–13.28) vs. 16.38 (12.14–19.29) pg/ml (p = 0.028). However, sFlt-1 values did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.32). The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in the infertile group was higher: 8.65 (7.09–10.80) vs. 6.06 (5.10–7.13) (p = 0.046). We found a negative correlation between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and the age at menarche (p = 0.036) and a positive correlation with the severity of pain according to the visual analog scale (p = 0.041).\nCONCLUSION: In patients with infertility and endometriosis, an imbalance of angiogenesis factors is manifested by a decrease in PlGF level and an increase in the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. The data obtained suggest that the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio can be used as a potential prognostic marker for the risk of infertility in patients with endometriosis.\nFull Text\nAbout the authors\nSharifat T. Suleimanova\nThe Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott\nAuthor for correspondence.\nEmail: sharifat_abdulaeva@mail.ru\nORCID iD: 0009-0005-5778-3311\nRussian Federation, Saint Petersburg\nMaria I. Yarmolinskaya\nThe Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott\nEmail: m.yarmolinskaya@gmail.com\nORCID iD: 0000-0002-6551-4147\nSPIN-code: 3686-3605\nMD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honoured Scientist of Russian Federation\nRussian Federation, Saint PetersburgDmitriy I. Sokolov\nThe Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott\nEmail: falcojugger@yandex.ru\nORCID iD: 0000-0002-5749-2531\nSPIN-code: 3746-0000\nCand. Sci. (Biology), Assistant Professor\nRussian Federation, Saint PetersburgReferences\n- Moazen S, Arjmand MH. 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