Expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and its mRNA in uterine endometrium during the menstrual cycle.

Steroid hormones, e.g. progesterone and oestradiol, may be responsible for the production and expression of a variety of angiogenic growth factors present in endometrial tissue. The expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) in neovascularization after regression of the microvessels in the endometrium was examined. PD-ECGF protein expression in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle was determined by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Transcription levels of PD-ECGF were measured by a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Southern blot technique. The data show that levels of PD-ECGF protein and mRNA in uterine endometrium did not alter during the proliferative phase prior to ovulation. During the midcycle phase a sharp transient fall in mRNA levels accompanied by a gradual drop in protein levels was observed. After ovulation transcription of PD-ECGF recovered with a sharp increase in mRNA levels which persisted during the ovulatory phase. PD-ECGF protein levels were temporarily low after ovulation, but increased remarkably through the late secretory phase. PD-ECGF expression in the endometrium seems to be inversely correlated with oestradiol concentrations during the menstrual cycle.