Relationship between endometrial estrogen and progesterone receptors, and sonographic endometrial appearance in the preovulatory phase.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between endometrial concentrations of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), and sonographic endometrial findings in the preovulatory phase of menstrual cycle.


METHODS
In 45 cycles of 45 infertile women with tubal factor only, transvaginal sonographic assessments and biopsy for immunohistochemical staining of the endometrium were made in the preovulatory phase of unstimulated, normal menstrual cycle. Immunohistochemical localization of ER and PR was scored according to intensity of staining and proportion of cells specifically stained in glandular epithelium and stroma, and the results were analysed according to the sonographic endometrial thickness (< 6 mm, 6-10 mm, or > 10 mm) and patterns. Endometrial patterns were classified as A, centrally hyperechogenic triple-line pattern or non-A, not triple-line.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the endometrial thickness, serum estradiol level and serum progesterone level between A and non-A groups. The receptor scores of epithelial and stromal ER and epithelial PR were comparable in A and non-A groups. However, the receptor score of stromal PR was significantly higher in A group, with 4.8 +/- 1.4 compared with 2.7 +/- 1.7 in non-A group (p < 0.001). There were no differences in the receptor scores of epithelial ER, epithelial PR, stromal ER and stromal PR among the 3 groups according to the endometrial thickness.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that high PR expression in endometrial stroma could be related to the sonographic triple-line or multilayered pattern of endometrium in the preovulatory period.
Kim
C H
CH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Chae
H D
HD
Huh
J
J
Kang
B M
BM
Chang
Y S
YS
Nam
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol