Increased messenger RNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the implantation site of the human oviduct with ectopic gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (KDR and flt-1) in the implantation and nonimplantation sites of the human oviduct with ectopic gestation.
DESIGN: Prospective observational study.
SETTING: University-based Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. PATIENT(S): Ten women undergoing laparoscopic salpingectomy for tubal pregnancy. INTERVENTION(S): The mucosal layer was isolated from the implantation and nonimplantation sites of the oviduct tissue with ectopic gestation. Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The differences in the mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors between the implantation and nonimplantation sites of the oviduct tissue. RESULT(S): The mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors, both KDR and flt-1, was significantly higher in the implantation site of the human oviduct with ectopic gestation compared with the nonimplantation site. CONCLUSION(S): The results suggest that VEGF may be the angiogenic factor responsible for the implantation and placentation of an ectopic pregnancy in the oviduct.