Effect of laparoscopic ovarian drilling on vascular endothelial growth factor and ovarian stromal blood flow using 3-dimensional power Doppler

Objective

To determine, by using 3-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography, the effect of laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) on the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and ovarian stromal blood flow changes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

A prospective controlled clinical study was conducted on 26 clomiphene-resistant women with PCOS who were scheduled for LOD and a control group of 22 fertile regularly menstruating women. VEGF and 3 ovarian Doppler indices—vascularization index, flow index, and vascularization flow index—were measured and compared between the 2 groups, and before and after LOD in the PCOS group.

Results

Serum VEGF and the Doppler indices of ovarian stromal blood flow were significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group. Serum VEGF and the ovarian stromal blood flow Doppler indices were significantly reduced in the PCOS group after LOD.

Conclusion

Increased vascularity in PCOS demonstrated by Doppler blood flow measurements might be explained by the high level of VEGF. LOD reduced ovarian vascularization and serum VEGF.     

Effects of laparoscopic ovarian drilling on young adult women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in serum hormone levels and ovarian stromal blood flow after laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) in young adult women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: Tertiary care, major teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: Anovulatory young women with PCOS who were resistant to clomiphene citrate. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic ovarian drilling. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: To evaluate the endocrinological effects of LOD, serum leptin, insulin-like growth factor-1, estrone (E1), and estradiol were measured before and after ovarian drilling in the early follicular phase. Three-dimensional transabdominal power Doppler examinations were performed to determine the effects of LOD. Serum leptin was correlated with body mass index (BMI) before LOD. Levels of BMI, fasting blood sugar, and leptin were higher and LH, LH/FSH, and the sugar/insulin ratio were lower in the obese group. There were significant decreases in the free androgen index, and total testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and a significant increase in sex hormonebinding globulin (SHBG) concentration in the 3 months after the operation. The vascularization index and vascularization flow index of the intraovarian stroma significantly decreased after treatment. Reversed correlations between leptin and LH, LH/FSH, E1, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and SHBG were noted 3 months after the operation compared with levels obtained before the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of young adult women with PCOS using LOD did not influence leptin levels but changed the ovarian stromal blood flow dynamics during short-term follow-up. The surgical procedure may be beneficial both to endocrine profiles and to intraovarian stromal flow in patients with PCOS.     

腹腔镜电凝打孔治疗多囊卵巢综合征的远期疗效分析

目的 :观察腹腔镜电凝打孔治疗多囊卵巢综合征 (PCOS)的远期疗效。方法 :于 1997年 7月～ 2 0 0 3年 9月对克罗米酚促排卵治疗无效的PCOS患者 5 0例 ,行腹腔镜电凝打孔术 ,观察手术前后FSH、LH、T、E2 、PRL、LH/FSH的变化。并对比手术前后卵巢体积及形态的变化。术后根据基础体温测定 (BBT)及B超监测排卵并随访受孕情况。结果 :随访时间 3～ 73月 ,其中 6 0月以上 15例。术后LH、T、LH/FSH较术前明显降低 (P <0 .0 1) ,卵巢体积由术前平均 11cm3变为术后平均 8.4cm3,月经情况明显改善 ,该方法治疗PCOS自然恢复排卵率 94 % ,术后 5年累积受孕率 76 % ,无并发症发生。结论 :腹腔镜治疗PCOS简单易行、创伤小、恢复快 ,远期疗效好 ,为难治的PCOS患者提供了新的治疗途径     

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling in polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with gonadotrophins often have a polyfollicular response and are exposed to the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and multiple pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) on the endocrinologic, clinical parameters and reproductive outcome of clomiphene-resistant anovulatory infertile patients with PCOS using monopolar diathermy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five clomiphene-resistant anovulatory women with PCOS have participated in the study. Serum testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), fasting insulin and glucose levels, body mass indexes, modified Ferriman Gallwey (FG) hirsutism scores of the subjects are recorded before and after the procedure. Endocrinologic and clinical profile and reproductive outcome of the patients were analysed. RESULTS: Ovarian drilling was successfully employed without any surgical complications and mean +/- S.D. duration of follow-up time was 29.73 +/- 10.64 months. In the follow-up period 93.3% of the subjects were recorded to have regular cycles and 64.4% pregnancy rate was achieved, spontaneously. The serum levels of T, free T, LH, LH:FSH ratio, insulin and FG scores were significantly reduced after LOD, although glucose levels and glucose/insulin ratio remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: In choosing ovulation induction method in clomiphene resistant PCOS patients, LOD may avoid or reduce the risk of OHSS and multiple pregnancy than gonadotrophins with the same success rate of conception. The high pregnancy rate, and economic aspect of the procedure offer an attractive management for patients with PCOS.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-1 in polycystic ovary syndrome and their relation to ovarian blood flow

OBJECTIVES: (1) To determine the serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). (2) To study Doppler blood flow changes within the ovarian stroma of women with PCOS. (3) To evaluate the relationship between VEGF and IGF-1 and Doppler indices as well as hormonal profile. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty infertile women with PCOS diagnosed by ultrasound examination and a history of oligomenorrhea, hirsutism and obesity were studied. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and hormonal profile were measured. Doppler blood flow velocity waveforms analysis in both right and left intraovarian arteries was done. Twenty healthy and fertile women with regular menstrual cycles served as a comparison group were similarly studied at the third day of the cycle. RESULTS: The serum levels of VEGF, IGF-1 (4.79 +/- 0.91, 253.15 +/- 70.07 versus 2.39 +/- 0.42, 186.65 +/- 42.7) were significantly elevated (P <0.001 and P <0.01, respectively) in women with PCOS compared with control. Doppler indices, PI (2.01 +/- 0.77, 2.66 +/- 1.00 versus 2.98 +/- 0.77, 3.75 +/- 0.98) and RI (0.77 +/- 0.12, 0.82 +/- 0.09 versus 0.87 +/- 0.09, 0.89 +/- 0.09) in both right and left intraovarian vessels were significantly lower in the patients than controls. The VEGF and IGF-1 levels were negatively correlated with RI and PI in the uterine and intraovarian arteries. VEGF level was positively correlated with IGF-1 (r=0.41, P <0.05) in women with PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum levels of VEGF and IGF-1 in PCOS women may be related to the increased vascularity that underlies the increased blood flow demonstrated by Doppler blood flow measurements in these women.     

腹腔镜电凝打孔术治疗耐氯米芬多囊卵巢综合征不孕43例疗效分析

目的:探讨腹腔镜下卵巢表面电凝打孔术对耐氯米芬(CC)多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)所致不孕症患者的疗效。方法:对耐氯米芬的PCOS不孕患者43例,行腹腔镜下卵巢表面电凝打孔术。术后随访3~12个月。观察手术前后血清黄体生成素(LH)、卵泡刺激素(FSH)、睾酮(T)、雌二醇(E2)、泌乳素(PRL)水平变化,卵巢体积及窦卵泡数的变化,术后月经和排卵情况、妊娠率及流产率。结果:术后LH、T、LH/FSH、PRL水平、卵巢体积、窦卵泡数均较术前明显降低(P<0.01),而FSH、E2术前、术后差异无显著性(P>0.05),月经情况明显改善,术后排卵率为93.0%(40/43),妊娠率为58.1%(25/43),流产率为16.0%(4/25)。结论:腹腔镜下卵巢表面电凝打孔术对于耐CC的PCOS不孕患者具有高排卵率和妊娠率以及低流产率的疗效。同时,具有创伤小、恢复快、并发症少的优点,是治疗耐CC的PCOS不孕患者的有效手段。     

Effects of laparoscopic ovarian drilling on serum vascular endothelial growth factor and on insulin responses to the oral glucose tolerance test in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations and insulin responses to the oral glucose tolerance test before and after laparoscopic ovarian drilling in women with PCOS. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University teaching center. PATIENT(s): Twenty-seven women with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic ovarian drilling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): VEGF levels and insulin responses to OGTT before and after ovarian drilling. RESULT(S): No difference was found in VEGF levels in women with PCOS before (6.0 +/- 1.2 ng/mL) and after ovarian drilling (5.5 +/- 1.2 ng/mL). VEGF levels before and after ovarian drilling in women who conceived were, respectively, 5.9 +/- 1.0 and 5.1 +/- 0.9 ng/mL and in those who did not conceive were 6.0 +/- 1.3 and 5.7 +/- 1.2 ng/mL. No correlation was found between baseline serum insulin and VEGF levels. VEGF concentrations in women with normal ovaries (4.5 +/- 1.7 ng/mL) were significantly lower than in women with PCOS. There was no difference in glucose and insulin responses to OGTT before and after ovarian drilling. CONCLUSION(S): VEGF levels in women with PCOS are higher than in normal women, and ovarian drilling does not affect these levels. The procedure does not change insulin responses to OGTT.     

Changes in ovarian reserve and ovarian blood flow in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome following laparoscopic ovarian drilling

This prospective cohort study was conducted on 80 patients with clomiphene citrate (CC)-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD). Pre- and post-LOD ovarian reserve parameters (anti-Mullerian hormone: AMH, ovarian volume: OV, and antral follicle count: AFC) and ovarian stromal blood flow indices (Vascularization index: VI, flow index: FI, and vascularization flow index: VFI) were measured to explore the effect of LOD and to find out the correlation between serum AMH and different clinical, hormonal, and ultrasonic variables. There was a highly significant reduction of the serum AMH (p?p?相似文献   

Polycystic ovary syndrome treated with laparoscopic ovarian drilling with a harmonic scalpel. A prospective,randomized study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the endocrinologic profile and reproductive outcome after laparoscopic drilling using a harmonic scalpel for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in clomiphene-resistant infertile women. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a prospective, randomized study of 34 infertile women with PCOS. Group A (17 women) underwent laparoscopic ovarian drilling using a harmonic scalpel laser. Group B (control group, 17 women) underwent laparoscopic ovarian drilling using a neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser. Change in the hormonal profile after surgery, ovulation rate and pregnancy rate were compared between groups A and B. RESULTS: LH and testosterone serum levels and the LH-FSH ratio showed a statistically significant reduction after surgery, and the spontaneous ovulation rate was 94% in both groups. The cumulative pregnancy rates within two years of follow-up were 77% in group A and 60% in group B. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic ovarian drilling using a harmonic scalpel is an effective treatment for PCOS in clomiphene-resistant, anovulatory women: it results in ovulation and conception without major complications.     

腹腔镜卵巢打孔对PCOS耐氯米芬患者的疗效研究

目的:观察腹腔镜手术治疗耐氯米芬(CC)多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)不孕患者疗效的影响因素。方法:对46例耐氯米芬的PCOS患者行腹腔镜卵巢打孔术,按术后6周内是否恢复排卵分有效组(排卵)和无效组(无排卵)。分析两组间患者的年龄、不孕年限、体重指数(BMI)、性激素水平对临床疗效的影响。结果:术后有38例患者发生排卵,26例成功妊娠;8例即使在加用CC后仍无排卵与妊娠。有效组术前患者血清LH、LH/FSH的水平明显比无效组高,而不孕年限、BMI明显比无效组低;术后血清LH、LH/FSH及T水平明显下降,FSH及PRL水平无明显变化。无效组手术前后患者血清LH、LH/FSH水平无明显变化,术后血清FSH及PRL水平有上升的趋势。结论:对耐氯米芬PCOS患者行腹腔镜治疗时,术前患者不孕年限、BMI、LH、LH/FSH水平及术后LH、LH/FSH及T水平的下降幅度是预测术后排卵有效的指标,同时应该全面考虑患者的FSH、PRL水平的变化。     

Preoperative luteinizing hormone levels predict the ovulatory response to laparoscopic ovarian drilling in patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) is a treatment option for women with clomiphene citrate (CC)-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but appropriate indications for this procedure are lacking. The aim of this study was to analyze preoperative factors affecting the efficacy of LOD in producing ovulation in CC-resistant PCOS patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 40 infertile Japanese women with CC-resistant PCOS who received LOD using argon-beam electrocoagulation. These patients satisfied the diagnostic criteria of the revised European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine PCOS consensus. RESULTS: After LOD, ovulation occurred in 33 (83%) patients; pregnancy occurred in 22 patients (55%). Preoperative serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were significantly higher in women who ovulated after LOD than in those who did not ovulate. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for ovulation using preoperative LH levels was 0.81 (95% confidence interval: 0.67-0.96). After LOD, follicle-stimulating hormone levels increased significantly in the non-ovulating group but were unchanged in the ovulating group. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum LH levels may be a good predictor of LOD efficacy in patients with PCOS. Therefore, eligibility criteria for LOD should be strictly applied, since LOD for patients with inadequate LH levels is not only ineffective, but also may impair ovarian reserve.     

Impact of transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy ovarian drilling on ovarian stromal blood flow and ovarian volume in clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS patients: a case-control study

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in gynecology. In PCOS patients vascularization parameters are altered. Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) is a mini-invasive approach for ovarian drilling in PCOS patients. In this study, we assessed the effect of ovarian drilling using THL on ovarian volume (OV) and vascularization index (VI) using 3D power Doppler ultrasonography in CC-resistant PCOS patients. A case-control study on 123?CC-resistant PCOS women who underwent THL ovarian drilling was performed. Patients underwent 3D ultrasound and power Doppler to measure VI, flow index (FI), vascularization flow index (VFI) and to evaluate OV before and after the procedure, at six months, and on the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. After THL ovarian drilling, OV and power Doppler flow indices were significantly reduced compared to pre-operative values (OV: 7.85 versus 11.72?cm³, p?p?p?p?相似文献   

Office microlaparoscopic ovarian drilling versus conventional laparoscopic ovarian drilling for women with polycystic ovary syndrome

It is a prospective controlled study to compare the beneficial effects of office microlaparoscopic ovarian drilling (OMLOD) under augmented local anesthesia, as a new modality treatment option, compared to those following ovarian drilling with the conventional traditional 10-mm laparoscope under general anesthesia. The study included 60 anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who underwent OMLOD (study group) and 60 anovulatory PCOS women, where the conventional laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD), using 10-mm laparoscope under general anesthesia, was performed (comparison group). Transvaginal ultrasound scan and blood sampling to measure the serum concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone, and androstenedione had been performed before and after the procedure. Intra- and postoperative pain score in candidate women had been evaluated during the office microlaparoscopic procedure, in addition to the number of candidates who needed extra analgesia. The women undergoing OMLOD showed a good intra- and postoperative perception pain score. The number of those patients discharged within the first 2 h after office procedure was significantly higher, without the need for postoperative analgesia with most patients. The LH/FSH ratio and mean serum concentrations of LH, testosterone, and free androgen index have decreased significantly after both OMLOD and LOD within a postoperative year follow-up. The mean ovarian volume decreased significantly (P?<?0.05) within the year after both OMLOD and LOD. There were no significant differences in those results after both procedures. Intra- and postoperative augmented local anesthesia allows outpatient bilateral ovarian drilling by microlaparoscopy without general anesthesia. The relatively high pregnancy rate, the simplicity of the method, and the faster discharge time after the operation offer a new modality option for patients with PCOS, who are resistant to clomiphene citrate ovarian induction. Moreover, ovarian drilling could be performed simultaneously during the routine diagnostic microlaparoscopy and integrated in the fertility work-up investigations for those patients.     

Office microlaparoscopic ovarian drilling (OMLOD) versus conventional laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) for women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective and design

This was a prospective controlled study to compare the beneficial effects of office microlaparoscopic ovarian drilling (OMLOD) under augmented local anesthesia, as a new modality treatment option, compared to those following ovarian drilling with the conventional traditional 10-mm laparoscope (laparoscopic ovarian drilling, LOD) under general anesthesia.

Methods

The study included 60 anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who underwent OMLOD (study group) and 60 anovulatory PCOS women, in whom conventional LOD using 10-mm laparoscope under general anesthesia was performed (comparison group). Transvaginal ultrasound scan and blood sampling to measure the serum concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone and androstenedione were performed before and after the procedure. Intraoperative and postoperative pain scores in candidate women were evaluated during the office microlaparoscopic procedure, in addition to the number of candidates who needed extra analgesia.

Results

Women undergoing OMLOD showed good intraoperative and postoperative pain scores. The number of patients discharged within 2 h after the office procedure was significantly higher, without the need for postoperative analgesia in most patients. The LH:FSH ratio, mean serum concentrations of LH and testosterone and free androgen index decreased significantly after both OMLOD and LOD. The mean ovarian volume decreased significantly (P < 0.05) a year after both OMLOD and LOD. There were no significant differences in those results after both procedures.

Conclusion

Intra- and postoperatively augmented local anesthesia allows outpatient bilateral ovarian drilling by microlaparoscopy without general anesthesia. The high pregnancy rate, the simplicity of the method and the faster discharge time offer a new option for patients with PCOS who are resistant to clomiphene citrate. Moreover, ovarian drilling could be performed simultaneously during the routine diagnostic microlaparoscopy and integrated into the fertility workup of these patients.     

Polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship between insulin sensitivity, sex hormone levels and ovarian stromal blood flow.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of menstrual disorders, and is characterized by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism and infertility. In recent years, it has become apparent that PCOS is also associated with hyperinsulinemia that is probably central to the pathogenesis of PCOS. As a peculiar vascular pattern has been reported to be present in PCOS, the aim of this study was to investigate intraovarian stromal vascularization in PCOS patients and its possible correlation with sex hormones, gonadotropins and insulin levels. Twenty-eight oligomenorrheic or amenorrheic patients with PCOS and 14 eumenorrheic women with a PCOS-like ovarian pattern undergoing endocrine screening and ultrasound color Doppler intraovarian blood flow were recruited to the study. Ten healthy women with regular menses represented the control group. Hormonal assays (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), androstenedione, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and estradiol), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), baseline and glucose-induced insulin levels, and transvaginal ultrasonographic and color Doppler analysis (pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) and velocity (Vmax) of ovarian stromal flow) were performed in all participants in the early proliferative phase. Endocrine values showed significant differences in PCOS patients compared with PCOS-like women and controls, while PI and RI indices were significantly higher in controls. PCOS patients were divided into hyperinsulinemic (n = 16) and normoinsulinemic (n = 12). Androstenedione was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the hyperinsulinemic than in the normoinsulinemic patients and controls, while SHBG was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in the hyperinsulinemic group. Analysis of color Doppler intraovarian vascularization showed a significantly lower RI and a higher Vmax in the hyperinsulinemic subjects than in the normoinsulinemic PCOS patients and controls. An increased stromal blood flow was observed in the PCOS and PCOS-like patients by transvaginal color Doppler evaluation, but this technique is not able to differentiate these two similar ovarian patterns. However, hyperinsulinemic PCOS patients had an increased vascularity of the ovarian stroma. A strong correlation between hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenism and low SHBG levels was evidenced, and a hyperinsulinemia-induced mechanism for ovarian stromal angiogenesis is discussed.     

三维及彩色多普勒超声对多囊卵巢综合征的辅助诊断价值

目的探讨三维及彩色多普勒超声对多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)的辅助诊断价值。方法对中国医科大学附属盛京医院2005年2月至2007年6月收治的60例PCOS患者和60例健康育龄女性进行三维及彩色多普勒超声检查,检测卵泡数目、三维容积和血流动力学指标,并进行对比分析。结果PCOS组的卵泡数目、卵巢容积、卵巢间质容积、卵泡容积大于对照组[分别为(16.91±4.34)个、(12.56±3.96)cm3、(11.49±3.50)cm3、(1.07±0.61)cm3对(5.48±2.10)个、(4.76±1.78)cm3、(4.43±1.74)cm3、(0.32±0.21)cm3],差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);卵巢间质内动脉阻力指数低于对照组(0.53±0.06对0.65±0.09),收缩期峰值血流速度高于对照组[(12.68±3.10)cm/s对(9.30±1.64)cm/s],差异具有统计学意义(分别P<0.01,P<0.05)。结论三维超声和彩色多普勒超声增加了鉴别PCOS的客观定量指标,对多囊卵巢综合征有较高的辅助诊断价值。     

Polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship between insulin sensitivity,sex hormone levels and ovarian stromal blood flow

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of menstrual disorders ,and is characterized by chronic anovulation ,hyperandrogenism and infertility. In recent years ,it has become apparent that PCOS is also associated with hyperinsulinemia that is probably central to the pathogenesis of PCOS. As a peculiar vascular pattern has been reported to be present in PCOS ,the aim of this study was to investigate intraovarian stromal vascularization in PCOS patients and its possible correlation with sex hormones ,gonadotropins and insulin levels. Twenty-eight oligomenorrheic or amenorrheic patients with PCOS and 14 eumenorrheic women with a PCOS-like ovarian pattern undergoing endocrine screening and ultrasound color Doppler intraovarian blood flow were recruited to the study. Ten healthy women with regular menses represented the control group. Hormonal assays (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ,luteinizing hormone (LH) ,androstenedione ,testosterone ,sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and estradiol), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) ,baseline and glucose-induced insulin levels ,and transvaginal ultrasonographic and color Doppler analysis (pulsatility index (PI) ,resistance index (RI) and velocity (V_max) of ovarian stromal flow) were performed in all participants in the early proliferative phase. Endocrine values showed significant differences in PCOS patients compared with PCOS-like women and controls ,while PI and RI indices were significantly higher in controls. PCOS patients were divided into hyperinsulinemic (n = 16) and normoinsulinemic (n = 12). Androstenedione was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the hyperinsulinemic than in the normoinsulinemic patients and controls ,while SHBG was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in the hyperinsulinemic group. Analysis of color Doppler intraovarian vascularization showed a significantly lower RI and a higher V_max in the hyperinsulinemic subjects than in the normoinsulinemic PCOS patients and controls. An increased stromal blood flow was observed in the PCOS and PCOS-like patients by transvaginal color Doppler evaluation ,but this technique is not able to differentiate these two similar ovarian patterns. However, hyperinsulinemic PCOS patients had an increased vascularity of the ovarian stroma. A strong correlation between hyperinsulinemia ,hyperandrogenism and low SHBG levels was evidenced ,and a hyperinsulinemia-induced mechanism for ovarian stromal angiogenesis is discussed.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in polycystic ovary syndrome during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that causes anovulation and consequent subfertility. It is well established that increased ovarian mass, supported by new blood vessel proliferation in stroma and theca, is a key feature of PCOS. Recent studies suggest a role for angiogenetic factors in this phenomenon. AIM: To evaluate of levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in serum and follicular fluid of PCOS patients during a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. METHODS: In 52 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments, 26 PCOS patients and 26 controls, serum VEGF and bFGF levels were assessed before starting administration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (day 0), on the day of administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and on the day of oocyte retrieval. Follicular fluid levels of the two growth factors were detected on the day of oocyte retrieval. RESULTS: PCOS patients showed higher serum VEGF levels than controls before starting FSH administration, on the day of hCG administration and on the day of oocyte retrieval. Serum VEGF levels showed a rise after hCG administration only in the PCOS patients. In addition, serum bFGF levels were higher in PCOS patients than in controls on the day of hCG administration and the day of oocyte retrieval. Furthermore, on the day of hCG administration, serum bFGF levels were directly correlated to the amount of FSH previously administered (p < 0.0001). In follicular fluid, higher VEGF and bFGF levels were found in PCOS patients than in controls. Furthermore, follicular-fluid bFGF concentrations were inversely correlated with the percentage of mature oocytes collected (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed elevated levels of VEGF and bFGF in serum and follicular fluid in PCOS patients compared with controls. bFGF seems to be an FSH-dependent growth factor and its levels in follicular fluid are inversely correlated with the percentage of mature oocytes collected.     

Ovarian stromal echogenicity in women with clomiphene citrate-sensitive and clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To compare stromal echogenicity in women with clomiphene citrate (CC)-sensitive and CC-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and to compare stromal echogenicity before and after laparoscopic ovarian drilling in women with CC-resistant PCOS. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Twenty-two infertile women. INTERVENTION(S): Transvaginal ultrasound examination and laparoscopic ovarian drilling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Ovarian stromal index (ratio of mean ovarian stromal echogenicity to mean echogenicity of the entire ovary). RESULT(S): The mean (+/- SD) ovarian stromal index was 1.26+/-0.27 in the women with CC-sensitive PCOS and 1.22+/-0.11 in the women with CC-resistant PCOS. The ovarian stromal index and ovarian volume of the women with CC-resistant PCOS before and after ovarian drilling were not significantly different. CONCLUSION(S): There was no difference in the stromal index and ovarian volume between women with CC-sensitive PCOS and women with CC-resistant PCOS. There was no overall difference in the stromal index and ovarian volume in women with CC-resistant PCOS before and after ovarian drilling.     

Effects of ovarian drilling in middle Black Sea region Turkish women with polycystic ovary syndrome having normal and high body mass indices

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with normal and high body mass indices (BMIs). METHODS: We investigated the effects of LOD process on two different groups of Turkish women with normal (n = 13) and high (n = 12) body mass indices. Three-puncture laparoscopy was performed under general anesthesia. Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) and total testosterone (total T) levels were measured one menstrual cycle before the operation (in early follicular phase defined as day 3 of the menstrual cycle) and one menstrual cycle after the operation (in early follicular phase defined as day 3 of the menstrual cycle). RESULTS: Ovarian drilling had a positive effect on FSH increase and DHEAS, total testosterone and LH/FSH ratio decrease; but BMI levels had no effect on these hormonal changes, respectively (F = 0.343, P = 0564) (F = 0.790, P = 0383) (F = 0.083, P = 0776) and (F = 0.816, P = 0376). Ovarian drilling had a positive effect on LH decrease and BMIs were effective on this change (F = 6.946, P < 0.05). LH decrease in the group with normal BMI was significantly higher than the obese group with high BMI. Ten of 13 women with normal BMI (76.9%) and eight of 12 women with high BMI (66.6%) started to see regular menses 2 to 3 months after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Ovarian drilling is an effective procedure on PCOS. Women with lower BMI may benefit more from the procedure.