Endometrial glycodelin-A expression in the luteal phase of stimulated ovarian cycles

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 74; no. 1; pp. 130 - 133
• Main Authors: Brown, Samuel E, Mandelin, Erik, Oehninger, Sergio, Toner, James P, Seppala, Markku, Jones, Howard W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.2000; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; endometrial receptivity; Endometrium - metabolism; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene expression; Glycodelin; Glycoproteins - biosynthesis; Humans; implantation; Luteal Phase; Menstrual Cycle - physiology; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; natural menstrual cycle; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy Proteins - biosynthesis; Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism; Receptors, Progesterone - metabolism; implantation; Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; endometrial receptivity; glycodelin; natural menstrual cycle; Human; Menstrual cycle; Glycoprotein; Stimulation; Gene expression; Pregnancy; Ovary; Luteal phase; Uterus; Ovum implantation; Female genital system; Female; Endometrium
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/S0015-0282(00)00586-0

Objective: To determine if controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) affects the endometrial expression of glycodelin-A (GdA). Design: Prospective, controlled study. Setting: Tertiary infertility clinic. Patient(s): Fifteen oocyte donors undergoing COH cycles and 19 natural-cycle control patients. Intervention(s): COH, endometrial biopsies. Main Outcome Measure(s): Immunohistochemical scoring of endometrial GdA expression, morphologic endometrial dating, and serum E 2, LH, and P 4 concentrations. Result(s): GdA was detected in all subjects throughout the implantation window period. Immunolocalization was demonstrated in the endometrial glands and not in the stroma or on the surface. A significantly increased proportion of GdA-staining endometrial cells were noted in COH cycle patients as compared with natural-cycling control patients throughout the window of embryo implantation. Both cycle types demonstrated increasing GdA expression throughout the late luteal phase. A significant positive correlation was noted between GdA expression and serum E 2 levels (r = 0.5, P<.001) in natural cycles and advanced histology in COH cycles (r = 0.63, P=.01). Neither LH nor P 4 were correlated with endometrial GdA expression. Conclusion(s): COH cycles have a significantly increased endometrial GdA expression throughout the implantation phase of the luteal cycle when compared with normal menstrual cycles. The increased expression may affect implantation during COH cycles.