OBJECTIVE: To determine the possible role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. DESIGN: The lymphocyte proliferative response in the presence of autologous endometrial cells was assayed by tritiated thymidine incorporation. SETTING: Patients were recruited from a university outpatient clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To determine the lymphocyte proliferative response to endometrium in controls and patients with endometriosis. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients with endometriosis and 26 control women were studied. RESULTS: The lymphocyte proliferative response in the presence of autologous endometrium was significantly lower in women with endometriosis when compared with controls. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that an altered lymphocyte/endometrial cell relationship is operational in women with endometriosis and may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the possible role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. DESIGN: The lymphocyte proliferative response in the presence of autologous endometrial cells was assayed by tritiated thymidine incorporation. SETTING:Patients were recruited from a university outpatient clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To determine the lymphocyte proliferative response to endometrium in controls and patients with endometriosis. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients with endometriosis and 26 control women were studied. RESULTS: The lymphocyte proliferative response in the presence of autologous endometrium was significantly lower in women with endometriosis when compared with controls. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that an altered lymphocyte/endometrial cell relationship is operational in women with endometriosis and may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.