Expression of vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) in peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis

Objective To evaluate the significance of VEGF in endometriosis,thereby providing causative and progressive information in its diagnosis and treatment.Methods The concentration of VEGF was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results ①The VEGF concentrations in peritoneal fluids of both mild and severe endometriosis groups were significantly higher than that in controls(P0.01,P0.05),whereas no significant difference was observed between the mild and severe endometriosis groups(P0.05).There was no correlation between the level of VEGF and degree of endometriosis(P0.05).②The VEGF concentration in the proliferative phase was significantly higher than that in secretory phase(P0.05).③A positive correlation between different VEGF levels an peritoneal fluid was observed in the endometriosis group(P0.05).Conclusions VEGF is significantly overexpressed in ectopic endometrium and it may play an important role in the development of endometriosis.The level of VEGF may be adjusted by female hormone.