BACKGROUND To 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). METHODS Twelve control ovulatory and 32 anovulatory women, 22 of whom received ovulation inducti...

The emerging functionality of the sugar code via cell surface glycans and endogenous lectins ascribes pertinent roles in cell physiology to the carbohydrate signals of cellular glycoconjugates. To initiate monitoring of endogenous lectins in human endometrium, we focused on a family of growth/adhesion-regulatory lectins, i.e. galectins. Comprehensive fingerprinting was performed on samples thro...

Implantation requires communication between a receptive endometrium and a healthy blastocyst. This maternal-embryonic crosstalk involves local mediators within the uterine microenvironment. We demonstrate that a secreted protein, prokineticin 1 (PROK1), is expressed in the receptive endometrium and during early pregnancy. PROK1 induces expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in endometri...

Regeneration and growth of the human endometrium after shedding of the functional layer during menstruation depends on an adequate angiogenic response. We analysed the mRNA expression levels of all known vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ligands and receptors in human endometrium collected in the menstrual and proliferative phases of the menstrual cycle. In addition, we evaluated the ex...

The process of implantation is an interactive cascade of events between the embryo and the endometrium. It is a dynamic process consisting of three distinct phases. They are (i) apposition of embryo (ii) attachment with the epithelial lining of the endometrium and (iii) invasion into the endometrial stroma gaining access to the maternal circulatory system. Embryo implantation failure may occur ...

BACKGROUND The objective of the present study was to expand our understanding of the role of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. METHODS Expression levels of MMP-7 mRNA and protein in the eutopic endometrium and ectopic endometrium of patients with different forms of endometriosis were measured with immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR. Endometrial...

The emerging functionality of the sugar code via cell surface glycans and endogenous lectins ascribes pertinent roles in cell physiology to the carbohydrate signals of cellular glycoconjugates. To initiate monitoring of endogenous lectins in human endometrium, we focused on a family of growth/adhesion-regulatory lectins, i.e. galectins. Comprehensive fingerprinting was performed on samples thro...

Our laboratories have focused recently on the production and localization of eotaxin, a C-C-chemokine of 8.4 kDa, whose major biological activity is the chemoattraction of eosinophils. Given evidence of autoimmune activity in the endometriosis syndrome, we hypothesized that eosinophil chemoattractants might be expressed in endometriosis. In histological sections, we observed eotaxin protein loc...

Introduction: In implantation, endometrial epithelium is affected by the release of steroid hormones secreted from the ovary and allows the blastocyst to bind. This course is called the “implantation window” and occurs about 4-10 days after the onset of progesterone secretion. Therefore, the endometrium undergoes changes in the configuration of microvilli in the apical membrane, as well as the ...