27 - 30 May 2005

VASCULAR DEVELOPMENT IN ENDOMETRIOSIS Patrick G. Groothuis [1], Gerard A. Dunselman [1], Annemiek W. Nap [1], E. Winterhager [2], R. Grümmer [2]. [1] Research Institute GROW Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University Hospital Maastricht Maastricht The Netherlands [2] Institute of Anatomy University Hospital Duisburg-Essen D- 45122 Essen Germany

Endometriosis, defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, is an oestrogen-dependent disease that causes infertility and pelvic pain in women of reproductive age. The condition has a dramatic impact on the professional, social and marital life of sufferers.

Direct and indirect evidence in literature suggests that angiogenesis is required for the development of endometriosis. Based on the properties of endometrial tissue and on evidence provided by studies in various (disease) models, the following sequence of events may occur upon the arrival of endometrial tissue in the abdomen. Factors produced by the endometrial tissue trigger an angiogenic response in the peritoneal lining, and attract endothelial cells to migrate into the graft, probably by using the pre-existing ECM of the regressed graft vessels. After tubes are formed, pericytes are recruited to stabilise vessels.

A chronic inflammatory environment ensures continuous angiogenic stimuli and impulses for vascular remodelling to fulfil the needs of the growing endometriotic tissue.

List of abstracts from the 3rd International Conference on the Female Reproductive Tract