Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists do not influence the secretion of steroid hormones but affect the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor from human granulosa luteinized cell cultures

The Effect of Different Ovarian Stimulation Protocols on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Vegf) Concentration in the Serum and Follicular Fluid of Women With Pcos Undergoing Icsi/Ivf.

“…These results are not in complete agreement with the statistically lower follicular VEGF concentrations in the GnRH antagonist group but in agreement with our result. Contrary to the results of the present study and the above-mentioned studies (30,31) , Ferrari et al (2006) (32) found higher follicular VEGF concentrations with GnRH antagonists than with GnRH agonists. This opposite finding might be explained by the fact that in the study by Ferrari et al the indications for IVF were various (tubal factor, unexplained infertility and endometriosis), whereas in this study the indications were PCOS and male factor infertility.…”

Cryopreserved blastocyst transfer: impact of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist versus antagonist in the previous oocyte retrieval cycles

“…These potential extrapituitary effects of GnRH antagonist have been claimed to be the cause of a lower pregnancy rate (6,13). However, studies on the effects of GnRH antagonists on individual reproductive organs have produced controversial results (12,(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30), so it is still unclear which of the extrapituitary effects of GnRH antagonists (e.g., on oocyte quality, embryo development, or endometrial maturation) could be the main cause of a lower pregnancy rate.…”

“…Other investigators demonstrated the differences of follicular fluid IGF-II and IGFBP-4 levels between the two protocols, but they concluded that the difference did not appear to result in a difference in clinical outcome (25). In a granulosa-lutein cell culture study, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations were lower in supernatants from cultures with a GnRH antagonist (26); however, studies with follicular fluid showed no difference in intrafollicular VEGF concentrations when comparing GnRH agonist with antagonist protocols (27). The results of our study indicate that GnRH antagonists do not affect oocyte quality, which supports the previous studies that demonstrated the similarity of GnRH-agonist and GnRH-antagonist cycles for ovarian autocrine/paracrine factors during folliculogenesis.…”

VEGF antagonist for the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: Current status

“…The preventive effect is explained by the reduction in VEGF secretion by cumulus cells after incubation with GnRH antagonists. 47 Thus we can say that the key to preventing OHSS is multipronged approach requiring experience with ovulation induction therapy and recognition of risk factors for OHSS. Ovulation induction regimens should be highly individualized, carefully monitored, and use the minimum dose and duration of gonadotropin therapy necessary to achieve the therapeutic goal.…”