[The immunohistochemical studies on estradiol and progesterone receptors in human decidua after terminating early pregnancy by mifepristone].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of mifepristone on decidua at the cellular level of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) and the mechanism of prolonged uterine bleeding after terminating early pregnancy by mifepristone.


METHODS
Thirty decidua specimens were obtained from pregnant women with amenorrhea of 6-7 week duration, 20 women were treated with mifepristone and 10 given mifepristone plus misoprostol respectively. Immunocytochemical reactions of PR nad ER in decidua were compared among three groups using computer image analysis technology.


RESULTS
In the control group, the nuclei of the decidual cells were stained positively for ER and PR. Their integral values of receptor level were 5,860,790 +/- 311,691 for ER and 4,905,970 +/- 157,319 for PR. Mifepristone treatment reduced ER and PR staining. The integral values were 3,547,180 +/- 191,858 for ER and 3,700,750 +/- 188,322 for PR in this group, and it was more apparent in the group treated with mifepristone plus misoprostol: 2,021,721 +/- 145,281 for ER and 2,528,580 +/- 240,535 for PR.


CONCLUSIONS
The ER and PR level in human decidua decreased after mifepristone or/and misoprostol treatment. This may be related to prolonged uterine bleeding after terminating early pregnancy by mifepristone.
Huang
L
L
Obstetrical and Gynecological Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006.
Shi
Y
Y
Chen
X
X
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016595:Misoprostol; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011959:Receptors, Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D011959:Receptors, Estradiol; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D016595:Misoprostol; D015735:Mifepristone