Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Dynamics in Reproductive Health
Summary
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a central regulator of blood‐vessel formation, driving angiogenesis in the ovary, endometrium and placenta. In the menstrual cycle, local oestrogen and progesterone levels orchestrate cyclical changes in VEGF expression, ensuring follicular development, corpus luteum maintenance and endometrial receptivity. At implantation, precise VEGF gradients facilitate trophoblast invasion and decidualisation of the uterine lining. During placentation, coordinated VEGF signalling promotes formation of the maternal–fetal interface and efficient exchange of nutrients and gases. Dysregulation of VEGF dynamics is implicated in pregnancy complications such as recurrent miscarriage and implantation failure, where altered endometrial microvascular density or aberrant receptor expression undermines foeto‐maternal crosstalk. Advances in imaging, histology and molecular profiling have elucidated how temporal and spatial control of VEGF isoforms and receptors underpin normal gestation and highlight targets for therapeutic intervention in reproductive disorders.
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Dynamics in Reproductive Health publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in vascular endothelial growth factor dynamics in reproductive health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF): A family of signal proteins that promote the growth of new blood vessels.
Angiogenesis: The physiological process of forming new blood vessels from existing vasculature.
Decidualisation: The transformation of endometrial stromal cells into specialised decidual cells, supporting embryo implantation.
Endometrial receptivity: A transient state of the uterine lining that permits successful embryo attachment and invasion.
Recurrent miscarriage: The occurrence of two or more consecutive pregnancy losses before 20 weeks of gestation.
References
- Association of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGFs) with Recurrent Miscarriage: A Systematic Review of the Literature. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
- Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Human Embryo Implantation: Clinical Implications. Biomolecules (2021).
- 3′-UTR Polymorphisms in the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene (VEGF) Contribute to Susceptibility to Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL). International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2019).
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