Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its receptors during the ovarian cycle. Review

The aim of present review was to compile the more recent information related with the role of VEGF and its receptors during ovarian cycle. The main function of VEGF system (VEGF and its receptors), is to control the new blood vessels formation and the protection of endothelial and granulosa cells. It is known that during the ovarian cycle, the vascular changes are important to regulate the follicular and corpus luteum development (CL), as well that the ovulation. The evidences reviewed here shown that during follicular selection, VEGF and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2) increase their expression to promote the nutrients supply and follicular cell protection, while in the ovulation VEGF system reduces the expression but this increases rapidly to induce the new blood vessel formation and thus the CL development. Finally, during the CL regression the expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 is reduced coinciding with the cell death of the gland. The results present herein suggest that VEGF and its receptor 2 are the main promoters of angiogenesis and cellular protection during follicular and CL development, however others members of VEGF system such as VEGF receptor-1 and the soluble receptors (sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2) seem to have an anti-angiogenic role.