Improved endometrial assessment using cyclin E and p27.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate endometrial expression of cyclin E and p27 in fertile and infertile women.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
University medical center and private practice.


METHODS
Thirty-three fertile volunteers, 83 women seeking infertility treatment, and 23 women undergoing mock cycles.


METHODS
Endometrial biopsy.


METHODS
Cyclin E and p27 immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Glandular cyclin E and p27 expression dramatically changed in intensity and subcellular localization throughout the menstrual cycle. In normal control biopsies, glandular cyclin E progressed from the basal to the lateral cytoplasm (midproliferative phase) to the nucleus (days 18 to 19) and was absent in biopsies after day 20. First appearing on days 17 to 19, p27 was found only in the nuclei. Cyclin E was more frequently seen after day 20 in infertility patients. In the hyperstimulated cycles, staining for cycle E in proliferative samples was more intense than in the natural cycles, but p27 staining was unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
Cyclin E and p27 may be clinically useful markers of development in the endometrium. As cell cycle regulators, cyclins reveal underlying biochemical processes driving endometrial progression and may partly represent the means by which estrogen and progesterone regulate this dynamic tissue.
Dubowy
Rebecca L
RL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8063, USA.
Feinberg
Ronald F
RF
Keefe
David L
DL
Doncel
Gustavo F
GF
Williams
Shaun C
SC
McSweet
Juliette C
JC
Kliman
Harvey J
HJ
D001706:Biopsy; D019927:Cyclin E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007246:Infertility / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D019927:Cyclin E; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; C413374:p27 antigen