Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenesis-inducing cytokine that is essential for the normal growth and development of many tissues, including the female reproductive organs. VEGF is secreted by both the theca and granulosa cells and is involved in the proliferation of capillaries associated with the selection of the pre-ovulatory follicle. The expression and localisation of this growth factor during follicular development has not been well documented in cows, Studies on bovine VEGF are limited by a lack of commercial methods for evaluating its levels. We have developed a heterologous radioimmunoassay for determining bovine VEGF in the follicular fluid We used a recombinant mouse VEGF and an anti-mouse VEGF. The serial dilution ofbovine follicular fluid gave a displacement curve that was parallel to that of VEGF Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in dominant follicles 72 hours after prostaglandin treatment, which could be due to a different maturation level. Further studies on the connection between VEGF and foilicular development will be required.
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