Endometriosis: Immunohistochemical analysis of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in endometriotic tissue and endometrium

The objective of the study was to compare the localization andstaining intensity of oestrogen and progesterone receptors inendometrium and endometriotic tissue. Using monoclonal antibodiestowards oestrogen and progesterone receptors, analysis was performedin 63 endometriotic samples from 40 women and compared to endometriumobtained simultaneously from 25 of the women. Using a stainingindex, ‘total immuno-staining score’, calculatedfrom the staining intensity multiplied by the fraction of positivecells, the receptor content was estimated semiquantitatively.The scores for both oestrogen and progesterone receptors werelower in endometriotic epithelial cells than in endometrialepithelial cells, but the differences reached statistical significanceonly for the progesterone receptor. No difference was foundfor stromal cells. There was a significant correlation betweenoestrogen receptor score in endometriotic tissue and in endometrium,but not for progesterone receptor score. In endometrium andvaginal and peritoneal endometriosis, the progesterone receptorscore showed similar values, higher than those in ovarian endometriosis.The data from this large immuno-histochemical study supportprevious results of quantitative steroid receptor analyses,indicating that the regulation of steroid effects, especiallythose of progesterone, differs between endometriotic and endometrialtissue.     

Distribution and effect on the endometrium of progesterone released from a progestasert device

Progestasert devices releasing 65 µg of [14C]progesteronedaily were inserted in 10 women 3 months prior to elective hysterectomy.Following surgery, specimens were examined by light and electronmicroscopy and by autoradiography. In three uteri, removed duringthe early follicular phase, there was a clear contrast betweenthe appearance of the superficial portion of the endometriumin the zone immediately adjacent to the device, when comparedto areas away from the progestasert. This difference becamemore pronounced in four specimens obtained at mid-cycle andtended to diminish during the luteal phase: the number of glandswas still lower than normal, but stromal decidual reaction wasapparent throughout the functional layer of endometrium; inaddition, in portions away from the device, glands showed thecharacteristics of a secretory phase. Progesterone and/or itsmetabolites were abundant in the superficial epithelium andin the portion of the glands adjacent to the surface; and alsowell distributed in the stroma and in the capillary walls. Historadiographyhowever, clearly showed that progesterone barely penetratedthe deeper portion of the endometrium. This picture does notsubstantially change during the entire cycle     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factors and their receptors in human endometrium from women experiencing abnormal bleeding patterns after prolonged use of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system

BACKGROUND: Menstrual bleeding disturbances are a common initial complaint among users of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). In this study, women who experienced bleeding disturbances recurring after a previous period of problem-free use and who therefore wanted removal of their LNG-IUD were investigated. Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors are thought to be involved in normal endometrial angiogenesis. The aim of the study was to elucidate the possible association of these VEGF and receptors with bleeding disturbances among users of LNG-IUS. METHODS: Endometrial biopsies were obtained from users of the LNG-IUS who complained of bleeding disturbances (n = 17) and from women without such problems (n = 14). The endometrial expression of these VEGFs and their receptors was analysed using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Endometrial endothelial cells from LNG-IUS users with menstrual bleeding disturbances exhibited significantly higher immunoreactivity for VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-3 than those from women without bleeding disturbances. Stromal cells showed significantly lower immunoreactivity for VEGF-A in samples from LNG-IUS users with bleeding disturbances than in those without. CONCLUSION: Changes in the expression of these angiogenic growth factors and their receptors in LNG-IUS-exposed endometrium might be involved in the formation of fragile and dysfunctional blood vessels that subsequently give rise to bleeding disturbances.     

Effects of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system on proliferation and apoptosis in the endometrium

BACKGROUND: The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNg-IUS) has been shown to be effective in the management of menorrhagia. In order to evaluate the effects of LNg-IUS on endometrial proliferation and apoptosis, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, apoptosis, Fas and Bcl-2 protein expression in the endometrium were determined at the early proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle before and 3 months after LNg-IUS insertion. METHODS: PCNA, Fas and Bcl-2 protein expression were analysed using an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. Apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-UTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) method. RESULTS: PCNA, immunolocalized both in the nuclei of endometrial glands and stroma was less abundant 3 months after insertion (P < 0.05). Bcl-2 protein, immunolocalized in the cytoplasm of endometrial glands but not in the stroma, became scanty 3 months after insertion. Fas antigen, immunolocalized only in endometrial glands before insertion, became prominent in both endometrial glands and stroma 3 months after insertion. The apoptosis-positive rate of the nuclei in both endometrial glands and stroma was significantly higher 3 months after insertion relative to that before insertion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LNg-IUS resulted in a decrease in endometrial proliferation and an increase in apoptosis in endometrial glands and stroma. The increase in apoptosis associated with increased Fas antigen expression and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression in the endometrium may be one of the underlying molecular mechanisms by which LNg-IUS insertion causes the atrophic change of the endometrium.     

Physiology: Immunohistochemical distribution of progesterone, androgen and oestrogen receptors in the human ovary during the menstrual cycle: relationship to expression of steroidogenic enzymes

In order to characterize immunohistochemically the possiblein-situ effects of gonadal steroid hormones in the human ovaryduring the menstrual cycle, we immunolocalized progesterone(PR), androgen (AR) and oestrogen (ER) receptors in 50 normalcycling human ovaries, and examined the relationship betweenthese findings and the cellular localization of steroidogenicenzymes including cytochrome P-450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage(P-450scc) enzyme, 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3HSD), cytochromeP-450 17-hydroxylase (P-450c17) and cytochrome P-450 aromatase(P-450arom). A large number of stromal cells were positive forAR, regardless of the distance from a follicle. No steroidogenicenzymes were observed in the stromal cells. In the pre-antralfollicle, AR was observed in the theca cells. P-450scc, 3HSDand P-450c17 were sporadically expressed in the theca cellsin relatively large-sized pre-antral follicles. ER was positivein the granulosa cells only in the P-450arom-positive antralor pre-ovulatory follicle, which is likely to be a selectedfollicle. In the corpus luteum, in the period from ovulationto the mid-secretory phase, PR immunoreactivity was observedin a large number of both the luteinized granulosa and the thecacells. All steroidogenic enzymes were observed in all corporalutea, but ER was negative in any corpus luteum. In the atreticfollicle, AR was present in the theca interna cells. P-450scc,3HSD and P-450c17 were observed in the theca interna cells insome atretic follicles. These immunohistochemical findings demonstratedthat steroid hormones locally produced may have important roles,as local regulators, in the human ovary during the menstrualcycle     

The role of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in gigantomastia

IntroductionGigantomastia is a rare condition characterised by excessive breast growth. The pathophysiology of mammary enlargement varies depending on the type of gigantomastia: gestational, juvenile virginal, or idiopathic. The study aimed at examining the receptor status (oestrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR)) of breast tissue in adult women with juvenile or idiopathic gigantomastia.Material and methodsThe study involved 70 women who underwent breast reduction due to juvenile or idiopathic gigantomastia. Control breast specimens were obtained from 18 female cadavers. ERα and PR expressions were detected immunohistochemically in breast gland samples.ResultsCategorised and uncategorised ERα and PR expression did not differ between women with gigantomastia and control women. It was found that in both groups weak (0–30%) ERα and PR expression was the most common. Analysis of categorised data also did not reveal any significant correlations between ERα or PR and the women’s age: for the whole group: p = 0.795 (ERα), p = 0.207 (PR), for women with gigantomastia: p = 0.934 (ERα), p = 0.43 (PR), and for control women: p = 0.638 (ERα), p = 0.805 (PR).ConclusionsGigantomastia is not caused by increased expression of ERα and PR. Analysing abnormal sensitivity of these receptors to hormones may be crucial in establishing the increased risk of breast cancer in women with gigantomastia.     

Pregnancy: The effect of RU486 on progesterone and oestrogen receptor concentration in human decidua on early pregnancy

Concentrations of progesterone receptor (PR) and oestrogen receptor(ER) were measured by radioligand assay in decidual tissue ofwomen undergoing termination of early pregnancy (amenorrhoeaup to 49 days). Pregnancies were terminated by vacuum aspirationat 12 or 36 h after oral administration of placebo or antiprogestinRU486 in different doses. Treatment with RU486 decreased decidualPR content, the effect being observed at 12 h as well as at36 h after 600 mg RU486 and at 36 h after 3 x 25 mg RU486 givenat 12 h intervals. PR concentration 12 h after a single doseof 25 mg RU486 was not affected. ER content was unchanged at12 h after RU486 but increased 36 h after 600 mg and 3 x 25mg RU486. Our data suggest that apart from blocking progesteroneaction, RU486 may exert its abortifacient effect through decreasingthe PR concentration. The simultaneous decrease of PR concentrationand an increase of ER concentration changes the balance betweenthem in favour of ER, which might also play a role in the abortifacienteffect of RU486.     

Evaluation of oestrogen and progesterone receptor expression in uterine mucosal lymphocytes

Expression of the oestrogen and progesterone receptors on uterinemueosal leukocytes has been examined by dual immunohistology.Neither the oestrogen receptor nor the progesterone receptorwas expressed by lymphocytes, macrophages or the distinctivepopulation of uterine natural killer (NK) cells. Although theaccumulation and survival of these NK cells appears to be hormonallydependent, the effects must therefore be indirect.     

Demonstration of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in freeze-dried, paraffin-embedded sections of breast cancer

Immunohistochemical evaluation of oestrogen and progesterone receptors is of importance in evaluating human breast tumours. Staining techniques can be performed on snap-frozen, cryostat-cut tissues or, as recently reported, on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. These methods are, however, limited by several drawbacks, including difficulties in retrospective studies and in storage of the material, and the relatively high frequency of false negative results for chemically fixed specimens. We therefore investigated the application of freeze-drying technology to assess the feasibility and reliability of this technique as an alternative method for diagnostic breast pathology. Morphological and immunohistochemical studies were performed on snap-frozen, freeze-dried and paraffin-embedded tissue obtained from 16 cases of benign and malignant breast neoplasms. Our results showed good preservation of tissue morphology, similar to standard formalin fixation, and excellent preservation of antigenic reactivity of nuclear receptors, comparable to that obtained with cryostat sections. We therefore suggest that freeze drying and paraffin embedding of frozen tissue blocks is equivalent or even preferable to formalin fixation for the demonstration of oestrogen and progesterone receptors, at least in the case of small tumours.     

Immunohistochemical localization of receptors for progesterone and oestradiol-17 beta in the implantation site of the rhesus monkey

The aim of the present study was to examine the cellular basis of the involvement of oestradiol and progesterone in blastocyst implantation in the primate. To this end, the cellular distribution of receptors for oestradiol (ER) and progesterone (PR) in fetal trophoblast cells and in endometrial compartments of timed lacunar (pre-villous) and villous stages of placentation in primary implantation sites collected on days 13-22 of gestation were investigated in rhesus monkeys. Both in pre-villous stage tissue and in villous stage tissue, cytotrophoblast cells and syncytiotrophoblast cells and other trophoblast derived cells were PR positive, while they were generally ER negative. Maternal endometrial cells were ER negative, while epithelial cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells in maternal endometrium showed heterogeneous staining patterns for PR depending on their relative location; these patterns, however, correlated well with glandular hyperplasia and differentiation, stromal-decidual transformation and vascular response seen during blastocyst implantation.     

Endometriosis: Oestrogen and progesterone receptors in endometriosis: heterogeneity of different sites

The expression of receptors for the ovarian steroid hormonesoestrogen and progesterone was studied immunohisto-chemicallyusing monoclonal antibodies in samples of endometriosis andendometrium in 22 patients. In nine patients samples of endometriosisfrom more than one site were studied. There was marked heterogeneityin expression of receptors in endometriosis, both when comparinglesions with the corresponding endometrium and also betweensamples of endometriosis collected from different sites withinthe same patient. It wa ssuggested that local environmentalfactors related to the site deotg abd degree if fibrosis ofthe lesions determine the amount of steroid hormone stimylationreaching the lesions and account for the observed differencebetween endometriosis and endometrium and between endometriosislesions of different sites.     

Endometrial oestrogen and progesterone receptors and their relationship to sonographic appearance of the endometrium

The rapid development of ultrasonographic equipment now permits instantaneous assessment of follicles and endometrium. The sonographic appearance of the endometrium has been discussed in relation to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. However, a generally agreed view of the relationship of the sonographic appearance to fecundity in IVF cycles has not emerged. We have studied the relationship between steroid receptors and the sonographic appearance of the preovulatory endometrium in natural cycles and ovulation induction cycles. Preovulatory endometrial thickness was not found to be indicative of fecundity, although a preovulatory endometrial thickness of <9 mm related to an elevated miscarriage rate. The preovulatory endometrial echo pattern did not predict fecundity. No relationships were found among endometrial appearance, endometrial steroid receptors and steroid hormone concentrations in serum. Oestrogen or progesterone receptor concentrations were not related to endometrial thickness or to concentrations of serum oestradiol, the only significant correlation being found between the endometrial concentrations of oestrogen and progesterone receptors. The ratio of progesterone:oestrogen receptor concentration was somewhat less in echo pattern B (not triple line) endometrium compared with pattern A (triple line) endometrium. Oestrogen and progesterone receptor concentrations appeared stable on gonadotrophin induction, though fewer numbers were found during clomiphene cycles than in natural cycles. With regard to the distribution of receptor concentration between clomiphene and natural cycles, most women using clomiphene had very low oestrogen receptor populations. Pregnancy rates were low, in spite of high ovulatory rates during clomiphene treatment and were mainly related to low oestrogen receptor concentrations in preovulatory endometrium.     

Uterus and endometrium: Endometrial vascular smooth muscle oestrogen and progesterone receptor distribution in women with and without menorrhagia

This study tested the hypothesis that alterations in the expressionof oestrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) in endometrialvascular smooth musde cells (VSMC) may play a role in the increasedblood loss that occurs during menorrhagla. Subject groups were:controls (n±40), those with menorrhagia (menstrual bloodloss >80 ml, n±39) and patients post-endometrial ablation(n±16). The aims of our study were to describe the changingdistribution of VSMC ER and PR during the menstrual cycle andto look for differences between the three groups. Immunohistochemicaldouble-staining results for VSMC and either ER or PR were highlyvaried, with 0–85% of endometrial arterioles in a biopsysection having alpha smooth muscle actinlER positive cells,and 0–70% demonstrating PR. There were no significantdifferences between controls, menorrhagia or post-ablation specimens(analysis of variance for ER P±0.72; for PR P±0.17).There were also no significant differences between the differentstages of the menstrual cycle when all three groups were combined(analysis of variance for ER P±0.11; for PR P±0.13).The high variability found in this study may mask biologicallyrelevant differences in endometrial vascular ER and PR distributionbetween different groups.     

Uterus and endometrium: The effect of local intrauterine levonorgestrel administration on endometrial thickness and uterine blood circulation

To evaluate non-invasively the role of levonorgestrel releasingdevices in direct contact with the endometrium on menstrualspotting and endometrium inactivation, we inserted levonorgestrelreleasing devices (20 µg/24 h) either into the cervicalcanal or the uterine cavity of 30 fertile women. Both beforeinsertion and over the following 3 months, we used transvaginalsonography to measure the endometrial thickness in 20 of thewomen and Doppler flow to measure the uterine blood flow inthe remaining 10 women. The women were asked to keep recordsof menstrual bleeding and they gave blood samples for the measurementof serum oestradiol, progesterone and levonorgestrel. By 10weeks after insertion there was a significant decrease in endometrialthickness in both groups. Intracervical levonorgestrel releaseallowed the endometrium to maintain cyclic changes, whereasdirect intrauterine levonorgestrel release eliminated the cyclicalchanges. The total number of spotting days was significantlyless (P = 0.0249) in the intracervical release group at 3 months;1.2 ± 0.6 versus 8.1 ± 1.8 (mean ± SE).There were no significant differences in hormone concentrationsbetween the groups. The pulsatility index did not change significantlyduring the study. We concluded that the inactivation processof the endometrium can be monitored by transvaginal sonographyand that locally administered levonorgestrel does not changecirculatory conditions detectable by Doppler flow. Our resultsalso suggest that the inactivation process of the endometriumis different between intracervical and intrauterine levonorgestreladministration and may explain the difference in the numberof spotting days.     

Is immunohistochemical analysis of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in endometrial carcinoma superior to the radioligand binding assay?

The aim of this study was to evaluate tissue and steroid receptor heterogeneity in endometrial carcinoma specimens as a possible source of discordance between biochemically assayed receptor status and response to endocrine treatment. For this purpose the oestrogen receptor (OR) and progesterone receptor (PR) levels in specimens from 16 endometrial carcinoma patients were analysed on adjacent tissue sections using both a radiochemical and an immunohistochemical assay. With immunohistochemical receptor analysis extensive tissue and tumour cell receptor heterogeneity was observed. Many tumour samples revealed up to 75 per cent contamination with benign tissue. In the majority of cases, evaluation of immunoreactivity in normal tissue elements of the specimen could explain the apparent discordance between semiquantitative immunohistochemical receptor scoring of tumour cells and radiochemical receptor assay. Immunohistochemical analysis of OR and PR in endometrial carcinoma specimens allows a more specific determination of tumour cell receptor content and hence may yield a more accurate prediction of response to endocrine therapy than the biochemical assay.     

Immunolocalization of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in prostatic hyperplasia and carcinoma

Oestrogen receptors and progesterone receptors were immunolocalized in 19 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and in 26 patients with prostatic carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue that had been fixed in 8% paraformaldehyde and then paraffin-embedded, using microwave irradiation for antigen retrieval. Oestrogen receptor expression was observed exclusively in the stromal cells of six out of 26 (23%) patients with prostatic carcinoma, but in none of the cells of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Progesterone receptor expression was detected in 16 of 19 (84%) and 17 of 19 (89%) of the epithelial cells and stromal cells of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, respectively. In patients with prostatic carcinoma, progesterone receptor immunoreactivity was observed in 12 of 20 (46%) and 20 of 26 (77%) of the carcinoma and stromal cells of prostatic carcinoma, respectively. The ratio of epithelial cells with progesterone receptor immunoreactivity corresponded well with that of stromal cells with immunoreactivity in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, the ratio of stromal cells with progesterone receptor immunoreactivity was much higher than that in carcinoma cells in patients with prostatic carcinoma. Immunolocalization patterns or the ratio of the cells with progesterone receptor immunoreactivity did not significantly correlate with histological differentiation or patient's age in carcinoma cases. However, patients with advanced surgical stages of disease demonstrated a significantly smaller number of carcinoma and stromal cells with progesterone immunoreactivity in patients with prostatic carcinoma. These results suggest that oestrogens do not have a direct effect on the biological behaviour of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma, but that progesterone appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma.     

Early changes of affinity and binding sites of progesterone and oestrogen receptors in decidua exposed to RU 486.

Sixty patients with 6-7 weeks of amenorrhoea were randomly allocated to three groups. The women in the first group (control) took a placebo 24 h before undergoing a vacuum aspiration. The patients in the second and third groups were given 200 mg of RU 486 orally, 12 or 24 h before surgical interruption of their pregnancy. Decidua were collected and frozen in liquid nitrogen. By Scatchard plot analysis, the number of cytosolic binding sites (1798 +/- 803 fmol/mg DNA) of progesterone in decidua in the control group was significantly reduced (P less than 0.01) to 696 +/- 408 or 626 +/- 179 fmol/mg DNA by RU 486 treatment for 12 or 24 h respectively. The dissociation constants of both cytosolic and nuclear progesterone receptors in RU 486-exposed decidua were increased (P less than 0.01). The number of nuclear binding sites of oestrogen receptor was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in decidua with RU 486 treatment for 12 h (178 +/- 77 fmol/mg DNA) compared to the control (89 +/- 32 fmol/mg DNA). The results suggest that RU 486 might regulate progesterone and oestrogen receptors in the decidua of early human pregnancy, either directly or indirectly.     

Immunolocalization of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the human decidua in relation to prolactin production

The distribution of oestrogen and progesterone receptors withinthe decidualized stroma of the uterus was examined in earlyand term human pregnancy and the results related to the effectof oestradiol and progesterone on prolactin production by deciduain vitro. In early pregnancy progesterone receptors were presentin the nucleus of decidualized cells of both the capsularisand parietalis but not in glandular cells. In contrast at termprogesterone receptors were located within the cytoplasm ofdecidual cells. Oestrogen receptors were detected only in thenucleus and were present in greater amounts in decidua capsularisthan parietalis in early pregnancy, but were not detectablein term decidua. Both oestrogen and progesterone receptors werepresent in the nuclei of cells of arterioles within the decidua.In early pregnancy prolactin production decreased during in-vitroculture of decidua parietalis but was maintained in deciduacapsularis, associated with an increase in progesterone productionby the decidua capsularis. In term decidua, prolactin productionin vitro was only stimulated by a combination of oestradioland progesterone. These results suggest, firstly, that maintaineddecidualization and prolactin production by decidua capsularisduring treatment of women in early pregnancy with the anti-progestinmifepristone is not due to an absence of progesterone receptor;secondly, there is a shift in immunoreactive progesterone receptorin decidual cells from the nucleus in early pregnancy to thecytoplasm in term pregnancy. This may indicate an alterationin the action of progesterone around the time of parturition;and thirdly, in term decidua, progesterone, apparently actingthrough the cytoplasmic receptor, is active in increasing prolactinproduction in vitro only when combined with oestradiol.     

Endocrinology: Comparative immunohistochemical study of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the Fallopian tube and uterus at different stages of the menstrual cycle and the menopause

Oestrogen and progesterone are known to require their correspondingsteroid receptors to manifest structural and functional effectsin the Fallopian tube, uterus and other target organs. Thisstudy compares cyclical variations of these receptors in theuterus and in different segments of the Fallopian tube in thesame subjects using an immunocyto-chemical technique. The resultsshow that in the Fallopian tube, isthmic and ampullary epithelialand stromal oestrogen receptors increased in the follicularphase to a peak at mid cycle and then declined in the late lutealphase. The intensity of immunostaining of oestrogen receptorswas less in the Fallopian tube than in endometrial glandularepithelium. The fimbrial end demonstrated an opposite patternof staining to other segments of the tube. Progesterone receptorimmuno-staining was more intense than that for oestrogen receptorsin the follicular phase, and, whereas it disappeared completelyfrom the endometrial glandular epithelium in the late lutealphase, positive staining was clearly visualized in the tubalepithelium and stroma and endometrial stroma at this stage ofthe menstrual cycle. These differences in the steroid receptorcontent may reflect the changing and different functional rolesof these regions and may have important implications on humanreproduction.     

子宫腔粘连患者子宫内膜组织中ER、PR的表达及意义

目的：探讨雌激素受体( ER)、孕激素受体( PR)在子宫腔粘连( intrauterine adheious, IUA)患者子宫内膜组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法采用免疫组化MaxVision两步法和实时荧光定量PCR( qRT-PCR)技术检测IUA组(研究组)和非IUA组(对照组)子宫内膜组织中ER、PR的表达水平。结果免疫组化检测显示ER蛋白在研究组(3．52±0．71)和对照组(2．75±1．00)中的表达差异有统计学意义(P=0．01);qRT-PCR法检测显示ER mRNA在研究组(1．59±0．26)和对照组(1．00±0．19)中的表达差异有统计学意义(P=0．00)。免疫组化检测显示PR蛋白在研究组(3．26±0．70)和对照组(3．58±0．28)中的表达差异无统计学意义(P=0．12);qRT-PCR法检测显示PR mRNA在研究组(1．15±0．21)和对照组(1．00±0．31)中的表达差异无统计学意义(P=0．21)。免疫组化检测显示ER、PR蛋白分别在子宫内膜腺体和子宫内膜间质中均有表达,差异有统计学意义(χ2=5．797,P=0．016;χ2=4．857,P=0．027)。结论子宫内膜组织中ER表达研究组高于对照组,PR在两组之间的表达无差异;ER、PR蛋白在两组子宫内膜腺体中表达较多,在子宫内膜间质中表达较少甚至不表达;ER、PR表达的特点为IUA患者临床使用雌、孕激素治疗提供一定的理论参考。