Lectin binding of endometrium in women with unexplained infertility.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether peri-implantation phase endometrium in women with unexplained infertility differs from the endometrium of normal fertile women.


METHODS
Assessment of the function of the endometrium by using endometrial biopsy specimens and lectin histochemistry.


METHODS
Infertility Clinic, Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield, United Kingdom.


METHODS
Eighteen normal fertile women (group I) and 18 women with unexplained infertility (group II).


METHODS
Endometrial biopsies were obtained from both groups at 5, 7, and 9 days after the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge.


METHODS
Five biotinylated lectins, concanavalin A (ConA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), soybean agglutinin, Peanut, and Ulex europaeus I were used as analytical probes to study endometrial glycoconjugates. Histochemical staining was performed using the avidin-biotin peroxidase method. The lectin binding by endometrial glands, surface epithelium, stromal cells, and vessels was assessed.


RESULTS
In group I, ConA stained the subnuclear glandular cytoplasm, glandular lumen, stroma cells, and surface epithelium. In group II, ConA binding to glandular or surface epithelium was none or equivocal. In group I, WGA bound to glandular cytoplasm and stroma cells on days LH + 5 and LH + 7. In group II, WGA binding was absent in glands but present in stroma.


CONCLUSIONS
Reproductive failure of women with unexplained infertility may be associated with defective biosynthesis and distribution of glycoconjugates that subsequently results in an unfavorable endometrial environment during the peri-implantation phase.
Klentzeris
L D
LD
Harris Birthright Research Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Jessop Hospital for Women, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Bulmer
J N
JN
Li
T C
TC
Morrison
L
L
Warren
A
A
Cooke
I D
ID
D000328:Adult; D001710:Biotin; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000378:metabolism; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism*; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin; D037121:Plant Lectins; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins / Q000378:metabolism; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins
D001710:Biotin; D003208:Concanavalin A; D037102:Lectins; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin; D037121:Plant Lectins; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; C036850:Ulex europaeus lectins; C028824:soybean lectin; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins