Increased vascular surface density in ovarian endometriosis

Our goal in this study was to investigate the presence of angiogenesis-related factors in endometriomas by evaluating their vascular surface densities. Thirty ovarian samples were included in the study. Of these, ten were histologically confirmed endometriomas, ten were ovarian specimens in the follicular phase and ten were ovarian specimens in the luteal phase, serving as controls. Histological specimens were immunostained for von Willebrand factor (vWF: factor VIII-related antigen) and CD34. The area with the highest microvessel density in endometriosis and in the normal ovary was evaluated by using an intercept grid. All microvessels in a specific field (x 100 magnification) were counted and vascular surface density was measured, as 164.01 +/- 21.26 vs. 125.15 +/- 11.28 and 117.44 +/- 9.27 by using vWF, and as 172.97 +/- 25.64 vs. 138.65 +/- 32.21 and 120.34 +/- 18.40 by using CD34 in endometriotic, follicular and luteal ovarian samples, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean vascular surface density was significantly higher in endometriosis than in the ovarian samples of the follicular phase or the luteal phase. No significant difference was seen between normal ovarian samples. Endometriosis was associated with angiogenic properties. Having demonstrated elevated angiogenic factors in endometriotic samples, we concluded that activation of angiogenesis might be a key factor in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.