A fundamental study of Copper-T (intrauterine device). Part 1 (author's transl)]

Copper IUDs and polyethylene IUDs were inserted in Clauberg rabbits. Proliferation of endometrium caused by exogenous progesterone was markedly inhibited in the rabbits with the copper IUD. Maximum proliferation was seen in the contralateral uterine horn of the rabbits with polyethylene IUDs. The concentration of Cu-ion in the endometrium in the horn with Cu-IUD showed a higher level as 19.5 ug/g wet wt. than that in the control horn, 2.5 ug/g wet wt. This effect corresponds to the addition of Cu-ion in a concentration of higher dosage to the endometrium of the control horn. In the case of women with normal menstrual cycles, the increase in a concentration of Cu-ion in the endometrium with Cu-IUD was lower than 10-5M; in the control women the concentration was 1.6 ug/g wet wt. of endometrium. The histological dating of endometrial specimens (E-B date) with Cu-IUD was examined and compared with expected date of the cycle determined by BBT date. Cu-IUD did not induce any significant discrepancy in both dating. The mechanism of increasing contraceptive effect with Cu-ion was considered to be a little different than in rabbits. (Author's Modified)     

Morphologic response of endometrium to a progesterone receptor antagonist, RU486, in monkeys

Fifteen castrate cynomolgus monkeys were assigned to one of two groups. All monkeys received estradiol (E2) capsules to mimic follicular phase E2 levels for development of a proliferative endometrium. In study I, three monkeys received RU486 on day 13 for 3 days; two others were given vehicle. On day 16, endometrium was removed. In study II, the remaining ten monkeys received progesterone capsules, beginning on day 12, to form a secretory endometrium. On day 29, six monkeys were given RU486 and four acted as controls. Endometrium was removed after 6, 18, and 32 hours. All tissue samples were prepared for light-microscopic evaluation. The results indicated that exogenous E2 alone stimulated intracellular stromal development; RU486 had weak progestational effect on proliferative endometrium, as evidenced by increase in the area occupied by glands; and RU486 had strong antiprogestational activity on secretory endometrium, illustrated by regression in the upper endometrial zones within 32 hours after a single injection of RU486.     

Endometrial histology during intermittent intranasal luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist sequentially combined with an oral progestogen as an antiovulatory contraceptive approach

Endometrial biopsies were performed in four groups of six or seven women treated for periods of 14 or 21 days with 200 micrograms twice daily or 400 micrograms once daily of intranasal Buserelin acetate. Five milligrams of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was taken orally twice daily on days 15 to 21. A medication-free week followed each treatment period. Between days 12 and 15 of the first treatment cycle, a proliferative endometrium was described in 16 out of 24 biopsies (66%). In 8 specimens (33%), early secretory changes were related to an early and/or short-lived rise in serum progesterone (P). At the end of the fourth treatment cycle, advanced maturation (days 23 to 28) was observed mainly in the 14-day schedules where serum estradiol (E2) was stimulated in or above the normal range of control cycles. Early to midluteal phase dating (days 16 to 22) was described mainly in the 21-day schedules. There was no P elevation in these groups. Five biopsies showing only proliferative tissue were associated with low levels of E2 mainly in the 400 micrograms/day group. The regimen capable of maintaining E2 in the low physiologic range (200 micrograms/12 hours X 21 days) was associated with incomplete secretory changes of the endometrium. A longer period of progestogen administration should produce a more complete maturation of the endometrium.     

Apoptosis and Ki-67 expression in adenomyotic lesions and in the corresponding eutopic endometrium.

OBJECTIVE: To examine biologic and proliferative properties of adenomyotic lesions and to determine whether adenomyotic lesions originate in the basal layer of the eutopic endometrium. METHODS: We examined eutopic and ectopic endometria from 23 patients with adenomyosis. To obtain evidence for the induction of programmed cell death, apoptotic cells were identified using a modified terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-biotin nick end-labeling method. To evaluate cell death repressor activity, bcl-2 gene expression was examined using immunohistochemical staining. As a proliferative marker, Ki-67 expression was also examined immunohistochemically. RESULTS: In the eutopic endometrium, apoptosis was most frequently observed in epithelial cells during mid- to late secretory phases, although it was rarely found during early proliferative through early secretory phases (P<.01). In contrast, bcl-2 gene expression inversely correlated with the appearance of apoptosis. A similar tendency was observed in stromal cells. In the ectopic endometrium of adenomyosis, endometrial dating revealed that secretory change was rare, even in the secretory phase, and that induction of apoptotic cells as well as bcl-2 gene expression showed no cyclic change. In stromal cells of the ectopic endometrium, apoptosis was more frequent than was seen in the eutopic endometrium, in all menstrual phases (P<.05). Ki-67 was constantly expressed in the glandular epithelium of the ectopic endometrium, irrespective of the menstrual phases, whereas in the secretory phase it was less expressed in the eutopic endometrium of functional and basal layers (P<.01). CONCLUSION: The induction of apoptosis seems to be regulated by hormonal changes in the eutopic endometrium and has an inverse correlation with bcl-2 gene expression. The ectopic endometrium in adenomyosis is rarely influenced by hormonal change and has different biologic and proliferative properties than events observed in the eutopic endometrium findings, which strongly suggest that the adenomyotic lesion does not originate in the basal endometrium.     

Effect of a new oral antiandrogen-estrogen combination on the endometrium: histological and ultrastructural scanning electron microscopy study

Endometrial biopsies were obtained in 12 volunteers between 18 and 35 years old who had used SHB 209 AE oral contraceptive during the previous six months. Three main types of endometrial patterns were observed: proliferative, very similar to a normal proliferative phase; early secretory: similar to early postovulatory endometrium; late secretory: characterized by diffuse predecidual changes in the stroma. At SEM after one week a great prevalence of nonciliated cells was observed. During the 2nd and the 3rd week, the endometrial surface appears still flattened with scanty glandular outlets.     

Luteal phase endometrial cytosol and nuclear progesterone receptors in infertile women

Progesterone receptor (PR) concentrations in cell nuclei (PRn), in cytosols (PRc) and a percentage of PRn, plasma progesterone level (P) and histological endometrium dating in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle were studied in three groups of patients. In the control group (group "A"-17 patients) there were infertile patients with normal levels of plasma P and histological dating of the endometrium corresponding to the actual day of the menstrual cycle. In group "B" (7 patients) there were infertile patients with normal plasma P levels and delayed histological finding of the endometrium for 2 or more days (mean 3.3 days)--"pseudocorpus luteum insufficiency". In group "C" there were 3 patients with delayed secretory transformation of the endometrium and low plasma P level (luteal phase defect). In group "B" there was lower concentration of the total PR (for 305.5 fmol/mg DNA), PRc (for 536.8 fmol/mg DNA), higher concentration of PRn (for 233.4 fmol/mg DNA) and for 20.5% higher percentage of PRn, but these values are not significantly different from those in the control group. In group "C" there were higher concentrations of the total PR and percentage of PRn but the sample was too small to permit statistical comparison. On the basis of these results we cannot conclude if in "pseudocorpus luteum insufficiency" a decreased sensitivity of the endometrium is due to the P, or is functional in nature. It will be necessary to continue our work on a larger number of patients and also to study changes in PR concentrations in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.     

Aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium of myomatous uteri: the influence of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use.

AIMS: To detect aromatase expression in the endometrium of myomatous uteri and to correlate it with the location of the myoma, phase of the menstrual cycle, the presence of menorrhagia and oral contraceptive use. METHOD: Aromatase p450 expression was measured using immunohistochemical methods in the endometrium of 116 patients. Sixty-one patients had menorrhagia associated with intramural/submucous myomas and nine had subserous myomas and no excessive bleeding. Forty-six patients had no uterine pathology and served as controls. Nineteen out of 61 patients with menorrhagia were oral contraceptive users at the time of the examination. Endometrial samples were obtained by hysteroscopy in all cases. RESULTS: Aromatase p450 expression was detected more frequently in the eutopic endometrium of patients with submucous or intramural myomas than in those in the subserous group, and was significantly greater during the proliferative phase than during the luteal phase or following the use of oral contraceptives. In normal uteri, aromatase expression was detected in the endometrium in less than 10% of users. CONCLUSIONS: Aromatase expression in the endometrium was affected by the location of the myoma, the presence of symptoms, and the phase of the menstrual cycle. Oral contraceptives, on the other hand, inhibited aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium of patients with submucous/intramural myomas.     

A comparative study of serum progesterone and biopsy of the endometrium in infertile females

We have titrated the serum progesterone and performed an endometrial biopsy on 69 infertile women, on the 21st day of the cycle. In 19 cases (27.5%), the serum progesterone levels were normal and the endometrium was at an advanced secretory stage. In 28 cases (40.5%), although the serum progesterone levels were normal, the endometrium was at an early secretory stage in 9 cases. In 29 cases (42%), the serum progesterone levels were under 8 ng/ml but for 20 of them, the endometrium was at an advanced secretory stage. In 12 cases (17.5%), there were anovulatory cycles.     

整合素β3及骨桥蛋白在子宫腺肌病患者子宫内膜中的表达及其意义

目的 探讨整合素β3及骨桥蛋白(OPN)在子宫腺肌病患者在位及异位子宫内膜中的表达及意义.方法 选择2007年1月-2008年7月于北京大学第一医院妇产科因子宫腺肌病行子宫全切除术的子宫腺肌病患者43例,收集其在位子宫内膜(在位内膜组),其中增殖期内膜11例,分泌期内膜32例(其中18例为分泌期中期);同时收集其异位子宫内膜(异位内膜组).选择同期因宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)Ⅱ～Ⅲ级或单纯浆膜下子宫肌瘤行子宫全切除术的患者41例为对照组,收集其子宫内膜,其中增殖期内膜12例,分泌期内膜29例(其中19例为分泌期中期).采用免疫组化法和实时荧光定量PCR技术检测各组患者子宫内膜中整合素β3和OPN的蛋白及mRNA表达.结果 (1)整合素β3和OPN蛋白主要表达于在位和异位子宫内膜的腺体.子宫内膜中整合素β3和OPN蛋白的表达水平,在位内膜组、异位内膜组、对照组分别为1.6±0.8和1.7±0.7、1.7±0.7和1.8±0.9、2.1±0.9和2.0±0.9,各组之间分别比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).在位内膜组增殖期子宫内膜中整合素β3和OPN蛋白的表达水平分别为0.8±0.4和0.7±0.3,均低于分泌期(分别为1.8±0.8和1.9±0.8),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);对照组增殖期子宫内膜中整合素β3和OPN蛋白的表达水平分别为1.0±0.4和1.0±0.4,也均低于分泌期(分别为2.5±0.7和2.5±0.7),差异也均有统计学意义(P=0.000).在位内膜组分泌期中期子宫内膜中整合素β3和OPN蛋白的表达水平分别为2.0±0.9和2.1±0.8,均低于对照组(分别为2.7±0.5和2.7±0.7),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01).(2)子宫内膜中整合素β3和OPN mRNA的表达水平(以中位数表示),在位内膜组(分别为4.69和4.23)均低于异位内膜组(分别为7.96和14.84)和对照组(分别为13.47和17.40),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).在位内膜组增殖期子宫内膜中整合素β3和OPN mRNA的表达水平(分别为2.69和3.30)均低于分泌期(分别为5.54和11.40),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);对照组增殖期子宫内膜中整合素β3和OPN mRNA的表达水平(分别为3.12和4.75)也均低于分泌期(分别为19.94和21.00),差异也均有统计学意义(P=0.000);在位内膜组分泌期中期子宫内膜中整合素β3和OPN mRNA的表达水平(分别为10.10和14.34)均低于对照组(分别为21.50和24.18),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 整合素β3和OPN在子宫腺肌病患者异位内膜的侵袭和生长过程中起着一定的作用,可能影响子宫腺肌病患者的胚胎着床.     

Progesterone binding by human endometrial tissue during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle and by hyperplastic and carcinomatous endometrium.

Cytosol receptors for progesterone were assayed in human endometrial tissue during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle and in the hyperplastic and carcinomatous endometrium. The assays were performed utilizing a technique involving prior treatment of the cytosol extract with dextran-coated charcoal to remove endogenous progesterone. The results showed that the progesterone receptor activity was higher during the later proliferative and early secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. Hyperplastic and carcinomatous endometrium also contained specific cytosol receptor for progesterone, and the binding activity of the hyperplastic endometria and endometrial polyps was comparable to that found during the later proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. No apparent correlation between the progesterone receptor level and the morphologic degree of differentiation in Grades 1 and 2 adenocarcinomas of the endometrium was observed.     

Effect of copper intrauterine device vs. injectable contraceptive on serum hormone levels and cell mitotic activity in endometrium

AimsTo compare changes in serum estradiol and progesterone level, endometrium cell mitotic activity and Ki67 in women using copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) with DMPA users 9 months after use.MethodsOne hundred and fifty women having no contra indication to either IUD or injectable contraceptive were studied. Office Endometrial biopsies and serum samples for estradiol and progesterone levels were taken on the 7th day of the menstrual cycle at recruitment and after 9 months. The endometrial samples were subjected to cell mitotic study and Ki67 estimation using morphology and proliferative indices.ResultsThe mean glandular mitotic index was 1.69 ± (0.39) for IUD user vs. 1.1 ± (0.69) for Injectable contraceptive user at first visit respectively and it was 0.57 ± (0.34) vs. 0.25 ± (0.11) at second visit after 9 months respectively. Similarly, Ki-67 count in glands was 11.79 ± 1.59 for IUD user vs. 12.03 ± 0.58 for injectable contraceptive user at first visit and 4.20 ± (0.24) vs. 2.27 ± (0.65) at second visit respectively. In the stroma, Ki67 decreased from a mean of 0.85–0.05 in 9 months for IUD user vs. 0.92–0.02. For injectable users suggesting a statistically significant decrease in proliferative and mitotic indices in the endometrium of women using either injectable contraceptives or IUD for more than 9 months. Non significant changes were observed in serum hormone levels in IUD users, while injectable contraceptive users showed a significant increase in serum progesterone level with insignificant change in the serum estrogen level.ConclusionEither copper intrauterine device or injectable contraceptive usage for more than 9 months results in significant decrease in endometrial proliferative or cell mitotic activity. While copper IUD has no effect on serum estradiol or progesterone levels, DMPA usage increased serum progesterone level with no effect on serum estradiol.     

Specific regulation by steroid hormones of adenylate cyclase in the endometrium

Adenylate cyclase was studied in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle and in rabbit endometrium after various hormonal treatments to clarify the effects of steroid hormones on this activity. Human endometrial adenylate cyclase was more stimulated by catecholamines (L-isoproterenol and L-epinephrine) and prostaglandins (PGE2 and PGF2 alpha), than the myometrium, corpus luteum and fallopian tube. Catecholamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity reached a peak in the late proliferative phase and significantly decreased thereafter. Prostaglandin-stimulated activity was low during the proliferative phase and reached significantly high levels in the late secretory phase. Adenylate cyclase activity was studied in rabbit endometrium before and after the administration of hCG. Catecholamine-stimulated activity was significantly low and prostaglandin-stimulated activity was significantly high in rabbit endometrium after hCG treatment. Further, changes in adenylate cyclase activity was studied in the endometrium of ovariectomized rabbits treated with estrogen, progesterone and/or cycloheximide. The administration of estrogen caused a significant increase in catecholamine-stimulated activity but this effect was inhibited by cycloheximide. The administration of progesterone caused a significant increase in prostaglandin-stimulated activity but this effect was inhibited by cycloheximide. The results demonstrate specific changes in endometrial adenylate cyclase activity during the menstrual cycle and that these changes are regulated by estrogen and progesterone via de novo synthesis of proteins.     

Changes in steroid enzyme activity in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle

Sulfokinase, sulfatase, 17 beta-HSD, 20 alpha-HSD, 3 beta-HSD and 5 alpha-reductase activity and steroid concentrations including estradiol, estrone, estrone-sulfate, progesterone, 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone, DHA and DHA-sulfate in endometrial tissue were examined in order to study the changes in steroid metabolism in relation to the menstrual cycle in the human endometrium. Thirty-one (14) proliferative and 17 secretory) endometrial tissue samples were obtained from women who underwent hysterectomy. Low enzymatic activity of sulfokinase, sulfatase and 17 beta-HSD activity were observed in the proliferative phase (0.25, 8.5, 3.1 nmole/mg protein/h). A pronounced increase in enzymatic activity was observed in the early secretory phase and activity gradually decreased toward the mid and late secretory phase. On the other hand, 20 alpha-HSD and 3 beta-HSD activity did not change during the cycle. 5 alpha-reductase activity was not detectable under the conditions used. The concentration of progesterone in the secretory phase was significantly higher than that in the proliferative phase. The concentration of estradiol in the proliferative phase was significantly higher than that in the secretory phase. There was no significant change in the concentration of estrone, estronesulfate, 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone, DHA or DHA-sulfate during the cycle. The relationship between the steroid concentration and the enzymatic activity was discussed. The results suggested an active role of the endometrium in controlling the biological effect of steroids.     

Abnormal expression of estrogen receptor is associated with thin endometrium

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the association of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expressions with thin endometrium. Patients with endometrial thickness of less than 7?mm were classified as the study group, while the control group was comprised of patients with endometrial thickness of 7 to 14?mm. The expressions of ER and PR were detected with semi-quantitative immunohistochemical analysis, and the differences were compared between the two groups. The expression of ER was significantly decreased (p?<?.05) in the stromal cells of thin endometrium during both proliferative and secretory phases as compared to those of normal endometrium. Likewise, ER expression was found to be lower in the glandular cells of thin endometrium than those of normal endometrium during proliferative phase. However, no significant differences were observed for the expression of PR in both glandular and stromal cells between the two groups. Thin endometrium was associated with reduced expression of ER in stromal cells both during proliferative and secretory phase, but in glandular epithelial cells only during proliferative phase.     

Immunohistochemical analysis of proliferative activity and steroid receptor expression in peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis

Objective: To assess the proliferative activity of eutopic and ectopic endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and its correlation to steroid receptor content.Design: The immunohistochemical use of Ki 67 was applied to investigate the proliferation index. A recently advanced stereographic computer technology was used to investigate steroid receptors.Setting: University hospital department of gynecology.Patient(s): Biopsies of eutopic endometrium, black and red peritoneal endometriotic lesions, and ovarian endometriomas were taken from infertile patients and classified according to the phase of the cycle.Result(s): In normal endometrium, the glandular proliferation index was highest during the proliferative phase and was statistically significantly reduced during the secretory phase. No proliferative activity was observed in the late secretory phase. No statistically significant differences were found between ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium except during the late secretory phase, when proliferative activity was still present in endometriotic tissue. The stromal proliferation index was similar in red lesions, ovarian endometriomas, and eutopic endometrium during the secretory phase. In normal endometrium, the highest concentrations of estrogen receptors (ERs) and P receptors (PRs) occurred in the epithelial and stromal cells during the late proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Estrogen receptor and PR content declined throughout the secretory phase. In ectopic endometrium, PR persisted in the glandular epithelium during the late secretory phase. Estrogen receptors persisted in the glandular epithelium and stroma of red peritoneal lesions and ovarian endometriomas during the late secretory phase.Conclusion(s): The high proliferative activity and the persistence of ERs and PRs in the stroma of red lesions and ovarian endometriomas emphasize the primordial role of the stroma in the development of endometriosis and suggest different mechanisms of proliferation control from those observed in eutopic endometrium.     

Aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium of myomatous uteri: The influence of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use

Aims. To detect aromatase expression in the endometrium of myomatous uteri and to correlate it with the location of the myoma, phase of the menstrual cycle, the presence of menorrhagia and oral contraceptive use.

Method. Aromatase p450 expression was measured using immunohistochemical methods in the endometrium of 116 patients. Sixty-one patients had menorrhagia associated with intramural/submucous myomas and nine had subserous myomas and no excessive bleeding. Forty-six patients had no uterine pathology and served as controls. Nineteen out of 61 patients with menorrhagia were oral contraceptive users at the time of the examination. Endometrial samples were obtained by hysteroscopy in all cases.

Results. Aromatase p450 expression was detected more frequently in the eutopic endometrium of patients with submucous or intramural myomas than in those in the subserous group, and was significantly greater during the proliferative phase than during the luteal phase or following the use of oral contraceptives. In normal uteri, aromatase expression was detected in the endometrium in less than 10% of users.

Conclusions. Aromatase expression in the endometrium was affected by the location of the myoma, the presence of symptoms, and the phase of the menstrual cycle. Oral contraceptives, on the other hand, inhibited aromatase expression in the eutopic endometrium of patients with submucous/intramural myomas.     

子宫腺肌症患者在位子宫内膜雌激素效应相关因子的时空变化

目的 探讨子宫腺肌症(腺肌症)患者在位子宫内膜、内膜一肌层界面(endometrial myometrial interface,EMI)处,雌激素效应相关因子的时空表达及其对腺肌症发病的影响。方法收集正常妇女子宫内膜(及部分肌层)33例(正常内膜组)和腺肌症患者在位内膜(及部分肌层)18例(腺肌症组),采用免疫组化方法测定、分析雌激素效应相关因子——雌激素受体α(ERα)、雌激素受体β(ERβ)、17β羟类固醇脱氢酶I(17β-HSD Ⅰ)和17β羟类固醇脱氢酶Ⅱ(17β-HSD Ⅱ)的时空变化。结果(1)腺肌症组ERα阳性的腺上皮细胞数量在增殖早期为90％,正常内膜组为60％;且腺上皮细胞胞质中也可见到ERα阳性颗粒。(2)腺肌症组在位内膜腺上皮细胞在增殖早期、晚期和分泌晚期,17B-HSDI阳性信号强度分别为( )、( )和( ),较正常内膜组相应时期的( )、( )和( )有所增高;腺肌症组在位内膜腺上皮细胞在增殖早期和分泌期,17B—HSDⅡ阳性信号强度分别为( )和( ),较正常内膜组相应时期的(- ～ )和( )有一定增高。(3)腺肌症组EMI上ERα、ERβ和17β-HSD Ⅰ阳性信号强度显著增强,而17β-HSDⅡ者降低。结论腺肌症患者子宫内膜中ERα阳性细胞数量增加、17β-HSD Ⅰ普遍高强度、17β-HSD Ⅱ代偿性增加不足,以及EMI方向性生长位点ERα、ERβ、17β-HSDⅠ和17β-HSDⅡ表达强度的变化,会导致局部雌激素效应增强、增殖活性增强。     

Endometrial response to sexual steroids as assessed by prostaglandin F(2alpha) output in explant culture and hormone receptor expression

The objective of this study was to evaluate the endometrial response to sexual steroids in organ culture using two means: prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) output in medium culture and steroid receptor immunoexpression in tissue. Human endometrium samples were classified in homogeneous and heterogeneous proliferative or secretory subsets. In proliferative endometrium explant culture, progesterone (10(-7) M) induced a significant decrease in PGF(2alpha) output, but this was not the case in secretory endometrium, whereas no significant effect of estradiol (10(-8) M) was observed. Before culture, homogeneous and heterogeneous proliferative endometrium presented the same pattern of estradiol receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression evaluated by quantitative immunocytochemistry. After culture, immunoreactive ER and PR were detected on the explant. PR immunoexpression rates after culture were lower than before culture in glands on homogeneous proliferative and in stroma on heterogeneous proliferative endometrium explants without in vitro steroid addition. In secretory endometrium, no significant difference was observed between ER or PR immunoexpression rates before culture and after culture. These results provided the hormonal receptivity status of endometrium after culture and will thus serve as a reference for evaluating in vitro steroid effects on endometrium explants. Our preliminary results suggest that cultures of endometrium explants are a valid model for studying the effects of hormonal treatment on homogeneous as well as heterogeneous endometrium. These data could be particularly relevant for evaluating the potential response to hormone stimulation and treatment of endometria sampled in perimenopausal patients.     

Placental protein 12 (PP12) in the human endometrium: tissue concentration in relation to histology and serum levels of PP12, progesterone and oestradiol

Placental protein 12 (PP12) was measured by radio-immuno-assay in serum and endometrial extracts of 25 women at various phases of the menstrual cycle, and in the decidua from six women undergoing legal abortion in early pregnancy. The results were analysed with respect to endometrial histology and serum oestradiol, progesterone and PP12 concentrations. PP12 was detected in the secretory phase endometrium and decidua, but not in the proliferative phase endometrium. The PP12 concentration in tissue increased from early (1.3-9.4 micrograms/g protein) to late secretory phase (5.3-155 micrograms/g), and considerably higher levels were found in decidua (282-3846 micrograms/g). There was a correlation (P less than 0.001) between endometrial PP12 and serum progesterone levels in non-pregnant women, and there also was a slight correlation (P less than 0.05) between endometrial and serum PP12 concentrations. These results show that PP12 is not pregnancy specific and suggest that the occurrence of PP12 is dependent on progesterone.