I. Aging of the human endometrium: a basic morphological and immunohistochemical study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if human endometrium presents morphological variations suggestive of an age-related decline in endometrial receptivity.


METHODS
Peri-implantation endometrium 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 formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections (5 mu m) were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Trichrome conforming to Masson according to conventional histologic examination. Several consecutive sections were used for the following immunohistochemical study: vascular localization (CD34), cellular proliferation index (PCNA), progesterone and estrogen receptors.


RESULTS
Using both the traditional morphological evaluation and monoclonal antibodies, no significant differences were found 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.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Italy.
I
I
Noci
P
P
Borri
O
O
Chieffi
G
G
Scarselli
R
R
Biagiotti
D
D
Moncini
M
M
Paglierani
G
G
Taddei
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D001391:Azo Compounds; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004717:Endometrium / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008739:Methyl Green; D008875:Middle Aged; D010503:Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism
D001391:Azo Compounds; D004396:Coloring Agents; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C017768:trichrome stain; D008739:Methyl Green; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS)