Expression of alpha 1 and beta 3 integrins subunits in the endometrium of patients with tubal phimosis or hydrosalpinx.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression of alpha1 and beta3 integrin subunit on the endometrium of infertile patients with hydrosalpinx and infertile patients with tubal phimosis.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Tertiary medical center.


METHODS
Infertile patients with radiologic or laparoscopic diagnosis of hydrosalpinx (n = 11) or tubal phimosis (n = 12) as the only cause of infertility, and fertile controls (n = 17).


METHODS
Immunohistochemical analysis of alpha1 and beta3 integrin subunits was performed on endometrial biopsies obtained during the implantation window.


METHODS
Histologic score (HSCORE) on luminal and glandular endometrium of the patients with hydrosalpinx or tubal phimosis and the normal fertile controls.


RESULTS
The median (+/-SEM) HSCORE for beta3 subunit expression in endometrial glands was 0.39 +/- 0.23 and 0.42 +/- 0.18 for tubal phimosis and hydrosalpinx, respectively, and 1.74 +/- 0.26 for fertile controls. The median HSCORE for beta3 subunit expression in luminal epithelium for tubal phimosis, hydrosalpinx, and fertile controls was 0.07 +/- 0.06, 0.21 +/- 0.18, and 1.03 +/- 0.31, respectively. No statistical difference was observed on the expression of alpha1 integrin subunit expression between the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The endometrial expression of beta3 integrin subunit is reduced in the presence of tubal phimosis or hydrosalpinx, during the window of implantation.
Savaris
Ricardo Francalacci
RF
Ambulatório de Fertilidade, Grupo Hospitalar Conceição, Ministério da Saúde, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. rsavaris@hcpa.ufrgs.br
Pedrini
José Luiz
JL
Flores
Renato
R
Fabris
Gemir
G
Zettler
Cláudio Galleano
CG
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D039423:Integrin alpha1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D039661:Integrin beta3 / Q000378:metabolism*
D039423:Integrin alpha1; D039661:Integrin beta3