Different types of small nerve fibers in eutopic endometrium and myometrium in women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate types of nerve fibers in endometrium and myometrium in women with endometriosis.


METHODS
Laboratory study using human tissue.


METHODS
University-based laboratory.


METHODS
Women with and without endometriosis undergoing hysterectomy.


METHODS
Histologic sections of contiguous endometrial and myometrial tissues were prepared from hysterectomies performed on women with and without endometriosis.


METHODS
Types and density of nerve fibers in endometrium and myometrium in women with and without endometriosis were determined using a series of specific markers for neuronal structure and function: PGP9.5, NF, SP, CGRP, TH, VAChT, VIP, and NPY.


RESULTS
Nerve fibers stained with PGP9.5 and NF in endometrium and myometrium were significantly increased in women with endometriosis compared with women without endometriosis. Nerve fibers in the functional layer of endometrium in women with endometriosis were likely to be sensory C, a mixture of sensory A delta, sensory C, and adrenergic fibers in the basal layer of the endometrium, a mixture of sensory A delta, sensory C, adrenergic and cholinergic fibers in the myometrium.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased nerve fiber density in endometrium and myometrium, and sensory C fibers and adrenergic nerve fibers in the endometrium in women with endometriosis may play an important role in the mechanisms of pain generation in this condition.
Tokushige
Natsuko
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Elizabeth II Research Institute for Mothers and Infants, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. ntokushige@med.usyd.edu.au
Markham
Robert
R
Russell
Peter
P
Fraser
Ian S
IS
D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009215:Myometrium / Q000294:innervation*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism*