Lectin binding to formalin-fixed paraffin sections of human endometrium.

The binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated concanavalin A (Con A), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Glycine maximum (SBA), dolichos biflorus (DBA), Ulex europaeus (UEA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ricinus communis (RCA) to human proliferative, secretory, and atrophic endometrium was studied. The binding of Con A and WGA increased markedly during the progression of the endometrium from the proliferative to the secretory phase. Triticum vulgaris seemed to bind to the secretion and was transported from the glandular cells to the glandular lumen during the secretory phase. Glycine maximum bound to the surface epithelium but not to the glandular cells. Some of the stromal cells showed binding with various lectins that also partly followed the endometrial cycle. The binding of the lectins in formalin-fixed paraffin sections as compared with that in frozen sections showed only slight differences that were restricted to SBA and DBA. The changes in the lectin binding of the endometrium reflect morphological and functional changes and lectin staining might possibly be used in further studies relating to functional disturbances of the endometrium.