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Importance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ovarian physiology of mammals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 October 2011

Valdevane Rocha Araújo ,
Ana Beatriz Graça Duarte ,
Jamily Bezerra Bruno ,
Cláudio Afonso Pinho Lopes  and
José Ricardo de Figueiredo
Valdevane Rocha Araújo*
Affiliation:
Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE), Faculdade de Veterinária (FAVET), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias (PPGCV), Laboratório de Manipulação de Oócitos e Folículos Pré-Antrais (LAMOFOPA), Av. Paranjana, 1700, Campus do Itaperi, Fortaleza–CE–Brasil, CEP: 60740–930Brasil.
Ana Beatriz Graça Duarte
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, State University of Ceará, 60740–930, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
Jamily Bezerra Bruno
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, State University of Ceará, 60740–930, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
Cláudio Afonso Pinho Lopes
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, State University of Ceará, 60740–930, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
José Ricardo de Figueiredo
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, State University of Ceará, 60740–930, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
*
All correspondence to: Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE), Faculdade de Veterinária (FAVET), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias (PPGCV), Laboratório de Manipulação de Oócitos e Folículos Pré-Antrais (LAMOFOPA), Av. Paranjana, 1700, Campus do Itaperi, Fortaleza–CE–Brasil, CEP: 60740–930Brasil. Tel: +55 85 3101 9852. Fax: +55 85 3101 9840. e-mail: val_exclusiva@yahoo.com.br
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Summary

Ovarian folliculogenesis in mammals is a complex process. Several compounds have been tested during in vitro culture of follicular cells for a better understanding of the mechanisms and factors related to ovarian folliculogenesis in mammals. From these compounds, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can be highlighted, as it is strongly associated with angiogenesis and, in recent years, its presence in ovarian cells has been investigated extensively. Previous studies have shown that the presence of VEGF protein, as well as mRNA expression of its receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) increases during follicular development. Therefore, it is likely that the interaction between VEGF and VEGFR-2 is crucial to promote follicular development. However, few studies on the influence of this factor on follicular development have been reported. This review addresses aspects related to the structural characterization and mechanism of action of VEGF and its receptors, and their biological importance in the ovary of mammals.

Keywords

AngiogenesisFolliculogenesisIn vitro cultureMaturationTyrosine kinase
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 21 , Issue 3 , August 2013 , pp. 295 - 304
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011 

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