title: Aging of the human endometrium: peri-implantation phase endometrium does not show any age-dependent variation in lectin binding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if the peri-implantation endometrium shows age variations in lectin patterns, which suggest possible age variations in embryo-maternal recognition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peri-implantation endometria of younger ( < 30 years of age: n = 13) and older ( > 40 years of age: n = 17) normally menstruating women was studied. Endometrial specimens were routinely fixed in buffered formaline and embedded in paraffin. Sections (5 microns) were studied using seven lectins: DBA (Dolicus biflorus, binding specificity alpha-D-GalNAc), PNA (Arachis hypogea, binding specificity D-Gal (beta 1 --> 3)-D-GalNAc), SBA (Glycine max binding specificity alpha/beta-D-GalNAc > D-Gal), WGA (Triticum vulgare binding specificity (alpha-D-GlcNAc)n and sialic acid), ConA (Canavalia ensiformis binding specificity alpha-D-Man > alpha-D-Glc), LTA (Lotus tetragonolobus binding specificity alpha-L-fucose) and UEA 1 (Ulex europaeus binding specificity alpha-L-fucose).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found in the glycoconjugates sugar residue content and distribution between the endometria of women < 30 years of age and those of women > 40.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that human endometrium does not age, at least while cyclic hormonal stimulation and menstruation are present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Noci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gheri
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Bryk
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sgambati
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moncini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paglierani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taddei
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Biagiotti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Borri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins