Ovarian angiogenesis in a rat model of PCOS.

ABRAMOVICH DALHIA

Congreso; 2019 AE-PCOS Society Annual Meeting; 2019

AE-PCOS Society

The correct formation and regression of blood vessels during each ovarian cycle is crucial for proper follicular development, ovulation and corpus luteum formation. Numerous pathologies present vascular alterations, either with increased, decreased or abnormal angiogenesis. In the last years, continuous research has contributed to better characterize PCOS and set new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for its management. Ovarian angiogenesis dysfunction has thrived as a new field in the study of PCOS. Imbalance of ovarian blood vessel development has been recognized as a central feature in the PCOS pathophysiology and proposed as a new tool in PCOS diagnosis. Moreover, strategies that target angiogenesis in women with PCOS are being evaluated as novel ways to manage different aspects of this syndrome. To this end, many studies have analyzed the effect of different therapeutic approaches on ovarian angiogenesis. For example, laparoscopic ovarian drilling, oral contraceptive pills, resveratrol and metformin have been reported to improve ovarian angiogenesis in PCOS. In a DHEA-induced PCOS rat model, we investigated the effect of local vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition or platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGFB) administration. We demonstrated that inhibiting ovarian VEGF partially restores the accumulation of small follicles and reduces the formation of cysts in the PCOS rats. This strategy also increases ovulation and improves follicular development. Similarly, PDGFB ovarian administration to PCOS rats partially restores primordial follicle accumulation, reduces cysts and increases corpora lutea formation. It also decreases ovarian VEGF levels and improves follicular vascularization.In conclusion, improving ovarian angiogenesis in women with PCOS appears to be a promising new strategy to enhance ovulation and follicular development. Further studies are needed to corroborate these results in humans in order to design novel therapies and new diagnostic tools in PCOS.