Differential expression of L-selectin ligand in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the expression of L-selectin ligand in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University teaching hospital.


METHODS
Endometrial samples from regularly cycling women.


METHODS
Tissue microarray and immunohistochemical staining were performed using L-selectin ligand monoclonal antibody (MECA-79).


METHODS
Expression of L-selectin ligand in the various phases of menstrual cycle was measured by a semiquantitative analysis (HSCORE) for the intensity of immunohistochemical reactivity.


RESULTS
In the luminal epithelium, there were significant differences in L-selectin ligand expression during the proliferative, interval, early secretory, and midsecretory phases. The expression of L-selectin ligand was greatest from the periovulatory interval through midsecretory phase. In the glandular epithelium, the expression of L-selectin ligand was greatest in midsecretory phase with significant differences between proliferative phase and the midsecretory phase and between the interval phase and the midsecretory phase.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased expression of L-selectin ligand in the human endometrium during the early and midsecretory phases of the menstrual cycle may be related to the process of implantation.
Lai
Tsung-Hsuan
TH
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Shih
Ie-Ming
IeM
Vlahos
Nikos
N
Ho
Chung-Liang
CL
Wallach
Edward
E
Zhao
Yulian
Y
D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D008024:Ligands; D019041:L-Selectin