Changes in receptivity epithelial cell markers of endometrium after ovarian stimulation treatments: its role during implantation window

Abstract

BackgroundTo compare the expression of receptivity markers in epithelial and stromal cells in the endometrium of ovulatory women and infertile with hypothalamic pituitary dysfunction (HPD), untreated or treated with clomiphene citrate (CC), or with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH).MethodsTwelve control ovulatory and 32 anovulatory women, 22 of whom received ovulation induction with CC (n = 12) or rFSH (n = 10). Endometrial biopsies were obtained during the mid-secretory phase. Hormonal secretion was measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay, endometrial dating and cellular expression and distribution of receptivity proteins were evaluated by quantitative immunohistochemistry.ResultsCC or rFSH treatments, modified the expression of epithelial receptivity markers, such as Glycodelin A, beta-catenin, CD166/ALCAM and IGF-1R, but not in stromal markers. Also, a change in their cell distribution was observed.ConclusionsTreatment of infertile women with HPD modified the expression and distribution of receptivity markers in the mid-secretory phase of the endometrium in epithelial but not stromal cells, which can help to explain changes in the receptivity of the endometrium during treatments and suggest an important role of these cells in the receptivity window.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12978-015-0034-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Human Endometrial Transcriptome and Progesterone Receptor Cistrome Reveal Important Pathways and Epithelial Regulators

“…Endometrial epithelial cells line the uterine lumen and glands, with the latter derived from the former [37, 38]. The endometrial epithelium undergoes dramatic cellular and molecular changes common to both mice and humans during the WOI, including adhesion mechanisms enabling the attachment of embryo to the luminal epithelium [39, 40], alterations in nuclear pore complex presentation [41], downregulation of the Serum and Glucocorticoid Regulated Kinase 1 (SGK1) [42], apoptotic cascade [43, 44], and expression of epithelial-specific receptivity markers [45]. The glandular epithelium further facilitates implantation via the production of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), a critical factor in embryo-uterine communication during WOI [46–48].…”

Randomized Trial Comparing the Effect of Endometrial Shedding With Medroxyprogesterone Acetate With Random Start of Clomiphene Citrate for Ovulation Induction in Oligo-ovulatory and Anovulatory Women

“…Studies of endometrial receptivity have shown changes in the expression of epithelial receptivity markers during the mid-secretory phase in women using CC for ovulation induction, and these changes are believed to account for the lower-than-expected pregnancy rates in these women. 26 Endometrial thickness has been considered a surrogate marker of endometrial receptivity. 10,11 We hypothesized that the thinning effect of CC on the endometrium would be less significant in women who did not have a withdrawal bleed than in women who took MPA and had a withdrawal bleed.…”

Expression of E-Cadherin in Pig-Tailed Monkey (Macaca nemestrina) Endometrium after Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation

“…Cadherin is one of adhesion molecules expressed in glandular and luminal epithelia. Through a calciumdependent mechanism, E-cadherin maintains bonds between cells [29].…”