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)

Sharifat T. Suleimanova, Maria I. Yarmolinskaya, Д. И. Соколов
In: Journal of obstetrics and women's diseases · 2026 · vol. 75(4) , pp. 66–72 · doi:10.17816/jowd713571 · W7214909219
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: 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. AIM: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSION: 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.

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