Heparin-like activity in uterine fluid.
Uterine fluid was collected from a group of normal patients and a group of patients with menorrhagia. Heparin-like activity was detected in 34 out of 38 samples using an anti-Xa heparin assay. The heparin-like activity in uterine fluid was inhibited by adding the heparin antagonist hexadimethrine bromide to the assay. Concentrations of fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products (FDPs) were measured in five samples of uterine fluid. FDPs in the concentration detected had no effect on the anti-Xa assay. Heparin-like activity was higher in the group with menorrhagia, although the differences were not significant. Heparin-like activity increased throughout the menstrual cycle and decreased during menstruation, suggesting a possible cyclical variation in activity. There was no correlation between mast cell numbers in the endometrium and myometrium and heparin-like activity in uterine fluid and no correlation between the numbers and the stage in the menstrual cycle. In a few patients with intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) heparin-like activity was increased.
D001826:Body Fluids / Q000032:analysis*; D002452:Cell Count; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D006493:Heparin / Q000032:analysis*; D006583:Hexadimethrine Bromide / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000378:metabolism; D008598:Menstruation; D009215:Myometrium / Q000166:cytology; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D006583:Hexadimethrine Bromide; D006493:Heparin