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.

Department of Anatomy and Histology Collegium Medicum Institute of Health Sciences Zielona Góra 65 046 Poland

Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun 87 100 Poland

Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences Institute of Veterinary Medicine Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun Torun 87 100 Poland

Department of Public Health Protection and Animal Welfare Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun Torun 87 100 Poland

Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants Poznan 60 630 Poland

Department of Veterinary Surgery Institute of Veterinary Medicine Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun Torun 87 100 Poland

Department of Veterinary Surgery Institute of Veterinary Medicine Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun Torun 87 100 Poland; Division of Anatomy Department of Human Morphology and Embryology Faculty of Medicine Wroclaw Medical University Wroclaw 50 368 Poland; Prestage Department of Poultry Science College of Agriculture and Life Sciences North Carolina State University Raleigh NC 27695 7608 USA; Center of Assisted Reproduction Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital and Masaryk University Brno 62500 Czech Republic

Division of Anatomy Department of Human Morphology and Embryology Faculty of Medicine Wroclaw Medical University Wroclaw 50 368 Poland

Division of Histology and Embryology Department of Human Morphology and Embryology Faculty of Medicine Wroclaw Medical University Wroclaw 50 368 Poland; Department of Human Biology and Cosmetology Faculty of Physiotherapy Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences Wroclaw 51 612 Poland

Prestage Department of Poultry Science College of Agriculture and Life Sciences North Carolina State University Raleigh NC 27695 7608 USA

Biomed Pharmacother. 2025 Sep 30:118614. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118614. PubMed

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