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27
- 30 May 2005
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GLYCODELIN
IS PRESENT IN PINOPODES OF THE RECEPTIVE HUMAN
ENDOMETRIUM, AND ITS PRESENCE IS ASSOCIATED
WITH EXPRESSION OF PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR B
Anneli Stavreus-Evers [1],
Erik Mandelin [2], Riitta Koistinen [2], Outi
Hovatta [1], Markku Seppälä [2]
[1] Department of Clinical Science
Karolinska Institutet
Karolinska University Hospital-Huddinge
Stockholm
Sweden
[2] Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University Central Hospital
Helsinki
Finland
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Background:
The endometrium changes throughout the menstrual
cycle, due to hormonal changes, in order to prepare
for implantation of an embryo. Progesterone is the
most important hormonal regulator for the endometrial
development, implantation and pregnancy. Pinopodes
develop in the endometrium at the time of implantation
and have been suggested as markers of endometrial
receptivity. Pinopodes progesterone levels are high
and progesterone receptor B is downregulated. Glycodelin
is secreted from the endometrial glands from the
time of implantation possibly as a regulator of
implantation by preventing rejection of the fetal
allograft. The aim of the study was to correlate
temporal appearance of pinopodes with glycodelin
and progesterone receptor B.
Methods:
Endometrial biopsies were obtained in the luteal
phase from twenty-five healthy fertile women with
normal menstrual cycles. Scanning electron microscopy
was used to determine pinopode formation. Immunohistochemistry
was used to determine the localization of glycodelin
and co-localization of glycodelin and progesterone
receptor B. Ultrastructural studies of glycodelin
localization was performed by using transmission
electron microscopy.
Results:
Glucodelin was only present on the apical side of
the epithelial cells, or was apically secreted from
the epithelial cells. Glycodelin was present in
the glandular epithelium when pinopodes appeared.
However, the glycodelin secretion from the luminal
epithelial cells was not associated with pinopode
formation. Glycodelin secretion from the glands
was associated with dowregulation of PRB.
Conclusion:
Pinopode appearance and glycodelin expression in
the glands are synchronized events. Downregulation
of PRB might be a regulatory event in the expression
of glycodelin in the endometrium.
List
of abstracts from the 3rd International Conference
on the Female Reproductive Tract
