title: Prevention of endometrial apoptosis: randomized prospective comparison of human chorionic gonadotropin versus progesterone treatment in the luteal phase.
abstract: To study control of apoptosis in human endometrium, we examined late luteal-phase endometrial biopsies obtained in the late luteal phase for evidence of apoptosis and compared the effects of exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone on this process. Using a controlled, prospective, and randomized study design, 12 healthy, fertile, reproductive-age women (ages 20-34 yr) with regular menstrual cycles (range, 26-32 d) were recruited. Each underwent an endometrial biopsy 12 d after a urinary LH surge in a control and treatment cycle. After biopsy in a natural cycle, subjects were randomized to receive luteal doses of either 200 mg intravaginal progesterone (d 18-27) or a single im injection of 10,000 IU of hCG (d 19) followed by repeat endometrial biopsy and collection of serum on d 26. Apoptosis was assessed by DNA laddering, localizing apoptotic bodies using immunofluorescent labeling of DNA fragments (the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling method), and immunohistochemical assessment of apoptosis markers bcl-2, bcl-x, and bax. Serum progesterone levels were compared between treatment groups. Evidence of apoptosis in control cycles was significantly reduced in endometrium after both luteal-phase treatments. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling results demonstrated significantly less apoptosis in the hCG treatment group compared with controls. Immunostaining for bcl-2 was higher in hCG- and progesterone-treated cycles, whereas bax expression was decreased and bcl-x immunostaining was not different between treatments. Serum progesterone levels were highest in the hCG-treated group, although statistical significance was not reached (P = 0.08). These results demonstrate that signs of apoptosis, already apparent by d 26 of the menstrual cycle can be reduced with either hCG or progesterone treatment. The clinical utility of these findings includes a rational use of luteal-phase support for treatment of women with infertility and/or recurrent pregnancy loss.
authors.affiliation: Northern California Fertility Medical Center, Roseville, California 95661,USA.
authors.forename: Laurie P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Lovely
authors.forename: Asgerally T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Fazleabas
authors.forename: Marc A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.forename: Devin G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: McAdams
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lessey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008183:Luteal Phase; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051020:bcl-X Protein
chemical_list: C494826:BAX protein, human; C494811:BCL2L1 protein, human; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051020:bcl-X Protein; D011374:Progesterone