[Immunohistochemical evidence of immuno-reactive hCG in the secretory endometrium in women].

The endometrium is a highly differentiated hormone dependent tissue. Its function is to make an implantation and pregnancy possible. The present study was carried out to investigate whether human endometrial cells are able to produce immune reactivity like hCG (ir-hCG). Immunohistochemical examinations of the endometrium were performed in 15 patients in the proliferative phase, 2 patients in the peri-ovulatory phase and 13 patients in the secretory phase. Immunohistochemical investigations of placenta from women who had an artificial abortion were used as controls. No immunohistochemical reaction in the endometrium could be recognized during the proliferative phase. In contrast a clear reaction was observed in the cells of the epithelium of the endometrium during the secretory phase. At the beginning of the secretory phase the ir-hCG was detected to be in the basal subnuclear region. In the middle of the secretory phase ir-hCG was found in the apical supranuclear region and later on in the glands. In the stroma of the endometrium single immunohistochemical positive cells could be seen. The function of the ir-hCG of the endometrium should be elucidated.