The present research aims to describe the process of vascular readjustment occurring in pig ovary during the periovulatory phase (from LH surge to ovulation) that drives the transformation of the follicle, a limited blood supplied structure, into the corpus luteum, a highly vascularised endocrine gland required to maintain high levels of progesterone in pregnancy. The swine model was chosen because it is characterized by a long periovulatory window (about 40–44 hrs-similar to human) that permits to recover follicles at a precise endocrinological timing.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression pattern and blood vessel remodelling were evaluated during the transition from the preovulatory follicle to the corpus luteum (CL). To this end, prepubertal gilts were treated with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) to collect preovulatory follicles (60 h after eCG) and with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to obtain periovulatory follicles 18 h and 36 h later. The VEGF mRNA content was analysed by in situ hybridization, while protein localization in follicular fluid (FF) and in granulosa and theca compartments was evaluated by ELISA, immunohistochemistry or western blot. Blood vessel architecture and vascular area (VA) were investigated using immunohistochemistry for von Willenbrand Factor, a specific endothelial marker. Vascular remodelling was finally tested using Ki-67 immunocytochemistry as a proliferation marker, or α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) as a specific mural cell marker. eCG-treated follicles showed high VEGF levels and two concentric blood vessel networks composed of proliferating endothelial cells without any association with mural components. hCG injection inhibited VEGF synthesis in the granulosa compartment and, as a consequence, the protein fell within the FF. In parallel, endothelial cell proliferation stopped and the VA decreased. Close to ovulation, VEGF production restarted in both follicular compartments and VEGF mRNA content significantly increased in the theca layer. Changes in follicular VEGF secretion were observed; the protein disappeared from FF and was observed in the extracellular matrix. An active angiogenesis characterized the follicle; endothelial cell proliferation was associated with a recruitment of α-SMA-positive mural cells. The data presented in this work showed that, in the phases preceding ovulation, a complete vascular remodelling occurs, characterized by both an evident neovascularization and the appearance of blood vessels presenting smooth musculature which could be involved in CL formation after ovulation.

This research analyses how somatic and vascular compartments change during preantral follicle growth. To address this aim, theca–granulosa (somatic) proliferation indexes (PIs), proportion of proliferating endothelial cells (PE), vascular area (VA) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression were simultaneously recorded on single healthy preantral follicles, classified into six different stages on the basis of the diameter and the granulosa layers. An autonomous blood vessel network starts to appear only in class 3. Vascular remodelling requires VEGFA expression, and VEGFA mRNA and VA significantly increase between class 3 and classes 4 and 5 and, further, in class 6. In addition, a positive correlation exists between these parameters in classes 3–5. Despite variation in angiogenesis results from classes 3 to 5, the statistical analysis reveals that the vascular parameters are positively and strictly correlated with somatic PIs. Conversely, class 6, also characterized by higher values of somatic PIs, displays a stable proportion of PEs (≅40%) without showing any correlation among the different parameters analysed. To identify follicular subpopulations within different classes, a multivariate hierarchical cluster analysis was performed. This analysis reveals that the majority of classes 3 and 4 are quiescent follicles or structures that grow very slowly. Class 5 represents a transitory category, where half of the follicles maintain a low activity and the remaining express significantly higher levels of granulosa PI and VA. The follicles with this high activity are probably able to reach class 6 becoming dominant structures where somatic and vascular parameters are constantly on high levels and the VA remains the unique differentiating element.

The diagnosis of melanoma and breast cancer may impact many aspects of life with significant reductions in emotional functioning and quality of life. The aim of the study was to analyze the emotional traits of female patients with oncological in early-stage diagnosis, investigating predictors for psychological distress and analyzing body image perception. An observational study was conducted, A sample of 84 female cancer patients (age range 30–55 years) with melanoma (n = 42) and breast cancer diagnosis (n = 42). The examined emotional variables were psychological distress; depression, stress, and anxiety; metacognitions; and body self-perception. Findings showed higher psychological distress in breast cancer than in melanoma patients (p = 0.00), which was related to lower positive self-perception of body image (p = 0.03). Furthermore, psychological distress was negatively correlated with consequences of clinical treatment on body image, and low well-being affected the social interaction and well-being with own body. There was no significant difference between cancer staging and timing from diagnosis. Prevention and therapeutic psychological protocols might be adapted and tailored to the unmet needs of the patients in medical treatments to promote and enhance the Quality of Life in survivorship.

The development of an adequate blood vessel network is crucial for the accomplishment of ovarian follicle growth and ovulation, which is necessary to support the proliferative and endocrine functions of the follicular cells. Although the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) through gonadotropins guides ovarian angiogenesis, the role exerted by the switch on of Progesterone (P₄) during the periovulatory phase remains to be clarified. The present research aimed to investigate in vivo VEGF-mediated mechanisms by inducing the development of periovulatory follicles using a pharmacologically validated synchronization treatment carried out in presence or absence of P₄ receptor antagonist RU486. Spatio-temporal expression profiles of VEGF, FLT1, and FLK1 receptors and the two major MAPK/ERKs and PI3K/AKT downstream pathways were analyzed on granulosa and on theca compartment. For the first time, the results demonstrated that in vivo administration of P₄ antagonist RU486 inhibits follicular VEGF receptors’ signaling mainly acting on the theca layer by downregulating the activation of ERKs and AKTs. Under the effect of RU486, periovulatory follicles’ microarchitecture did not move towards the periovulatory stage. The present evidence provides new insights on P₄ in vivo biological effects in driving vascular and tissue remodeling during the periovulatory phase.