Angiogenesis in the ovary - Proangiogenic factors and their clinical applications

Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels are formed through the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells from existing vessels. A balance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors is essential for the process to occur. In adults, the most common causes are inflammation, wound healing, and neoplastic processes. The female reproductive system is the only organ in the body that exhibits cyclical and repetitive angiogenesis, irrespective of the aforementioned factors, which occurs as a consequence of dynamic and continuous tissue remodelling associated with folliculogenesis, decidualization, implantation, and embryo development. The process of ovarian angiogenesis is contingent upon the participation of a multitude of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. The principal angiogenic factors are vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which plays a pivotal role in the regulation of angiogenesis, as well as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and angiopoietin. This article provides an overview of the molecular aspects of ovarian angiogenesis as well as presents studies on the potential clinical applications of molecular factors in the diagnosis of reproductive system diseases. The objective of research on ovarian angiogenesis is to gain insight into the mechanisms regulating this process and to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic methods for reproductive disorders. A significant proportion of ovarian diseases and infertility problems can be attributed to vascular dysfunction and angiogenesis. Therefore, it is of great importance to perform a detailed analysis of the ovarian vasculature to provide a basis for further studies on potential vascular dysfunctions.