Impact of high levels of progesterone on alpha(1)-integrin distribution in the endometrium of patients with unexplained infertility

Irregular or low expression of integrins, which are cell adhesion molecules, may be associated with infertility. We conducted a prospective controlled study evaluating the effects of supraphysiological levels of estrogen and progesterone created by human menopausal gonadotropins (HMG) and progesterone support on alpha(1)-integrin immunolocalisation in the endometrium. Three groups were enrolled in the study. The first group of patients (group 1) had unexplained infertility and had been treated with HMG and progesterone (n=27). The second group of patients (group 2) was an untreated fertile group (n=24). The third group (group 3) consisted of patients who had unexplained infertility and had received no treatment (n=11). Endometrial biopsy specimens were taken from individuals from each group during the ovulation induction period. alpha(1)-integrin immunohistochemistry was performed. Serum estradiol and progesterone levels were also measured in parallel with histological dating of endometrial biopsies. Group 1 showed no statistical difference from group 2 in alpha(1)-integrin or histological dating. Group 3 showed less alpha(1)-integrin in the glandular epithelium in the secretory phase. We observed that alpha(1)-integrin was specific to the secretory phase. Its localization was denser in group 2 when compared with group 3, which supports the conclusion that alpha(1)-integrin may be a useful marker for luteal phase quality. Moreover, the supraphysiological estrogen and progesterone levels created by HMG and progesterone support may affect the alpha(1)-integrin in the endometrium in the secretory phase in the case of unexplained infertile patients.