The effects of the antiprogesterone RU486 (Mifepristone) on an endometrial secretory glycan: an immunocytochemical study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of progesterone (P) receptor blockade by RU486 (Mifepristone; Roussel-Uclaf, Paris, France) on a secretory endometrial glycan recognized by monoclonal antibody D9B1.


METHODS
Retrospective comparison of endometrial biopsies from treated and untreated women from 2 to 8 days after the luteinizing peak (LH) peak.


METHODS
Infertility clinic, Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield.


METHODS
Twenty-two normal fertile women received the RU486. A control group of 44 normal fertile women were also assessed.


METHODS
RU486 was administered to 22 normal women during the first half of the luteal phase and an endometrial biopsy examined 3 days later.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the production and secretion of the D9B1 epitope.


RESULTS
When the drug was given 2 days after the LH peak, it prevented appearance of the epitope. When RU486 was administered 5 days after the LH peak, epitope already present in gland cells was subsequently secreted.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that production of the sialo-oligosaccharide is P-dependent, but secretion through established intracellular pathways is P-independent.
Graham
R A
RA
University of Sheffield, Jessop Hospital for Women, United Kingdom.
Li
T C
TC
Seif
M W
MW
Aplin
J D
JD
Cooke
I D
ID
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001706:Biopsy; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008183:Luteal Phase; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000939:Epitopes; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D011134:Polysaccharides; C016735:sialooligosaccharides; D015735:Mifepristone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone