Sindy Schug1, Anja Baunacke2, Maren Goeckenjan3, Lars-Christian Horn4, Gabriele Pretzsch5, Gerolf Zimmermann2, Henry Alexander6. 1. Research Laboratory of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. sindy.schug@zv.uni-leipzig.de. 2. Research Laboratory of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. 3. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany. 4. Institute of Pathology, Department of Breast, Gynecological and Perinatal Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 24, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. 5. Women's Hospital, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. 6. Research Laboratory of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. Henry.Alexander@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Successful embryo implantation into the endometrium depends on embryonic characteristics and proper endometrial development. Reproductive medicine often focuses on embryo quality, whereas reliable diagnostic tests for endometrial receptivity are still needed. We previously found that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), one of the earliest proteins secreted by the embryo, was also expressed by the luteal phase endometrium around the implantation window. Here, we tested our hypothesis of endometrial hCG as an implantation marker. METHODS: Endometrial biopsies and serum samples were taken from patients undergoing routine infertility diagnostics. Correlations of immunohistochemically detected endometrial hCG expression with adequate endometrial secretory transformation, the infiltration of CD45-positive leukocytes, clinical diagnostic parameters, and endometrial thickness were analyzed. RESULTS: A highly significant correlation between the endometrial score, as a measurement for regular secretory transformation, and the intensity of hCG staining was found. The invasion of CD45-positive leukocytes increased with progressing endometrial secretory transformation and rising endometrial hCG expression. In addition, serum progesterone concentrations correlated with hCG expression by the endometrial glands. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest endometrial hCG as a possible diagnostic parameter characterizing the endometrial secretory transformation and, thus, possibly also its implantation capability.
PURPOSE: Successful embryo implantation into the endometrium depends on embryonic characteristics and proper endometrial development. Reproductive medicine often focuses on embryo quality, whereas reliable diagnostic tests for endometrial receptivity are still needed. We previously found that humanchorionic gonadotropin (hCG), one of the earliest proteins secreted by the embryo, was also expressed by the luteal phase endometrium around the implantation window. Here, we tested our hypothesis of endometrial hCG as an implantation marker. METHODS: Endometrial biopsies and serum samples were taken from patients undergoing routine infertility diagnostics. Correlations of immunohistochemically detected endometrial hCG expression with adequate endometrial secretory transformation, the infiltration of CD45-positive leukocytes, clinical diagnostic parameters, and endometrial thickness were analyzed. RESULTS: A highly significant correlation between the endometrial score, as a measurement for regular secretory transformation, and the intensity of hCG staining was found. The invasion of CD45-positive leukocytes increased with progressing endometrial secretory transformation and rising endometrial hCG expression. In addition, serum progesterone concentrations correlated with hCG expression by the endometrial glands. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest endometrial hCG as a possible diagnostic parameter characterizing the endometrial secretory transformation and, thus, possibly also its implantation capability.
Entities:
Keywords:
Endometrium; Human chorionic gonadotropin hCG; Implantation marker; Reproductive medicine