Differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, and angiopoietin 1 and 2 in functionally divergent experimental rabbit models of bladder hypertrophy.

Purpose: Partial bladder outlet obstruction or ovariectomy with subsequent estrogen replenishment induces bladder hypertrophy in rabbits and yet the functional outcomes of these procedures differ. We investigated whether these models might be distinguished by differential expression of the genes controlling angiogenesis.

Materials And Methods: Groups of male rabbits underwent sham surgery or partial bladder outlet obstruction for 1 or 2 weeks.