Steroid receptor expression in the vulvar vestibular mucosa--effects of oral contraceptives and menstrual cycle.
BACKGROUND
The objective was to evaluate the influence of combined oral contraceptives (COC) and of the menstrual cycle on the steroid receptor expression in the vulvar vestibular mucosa of healthy women.


METHODS
Forty-five healthy women (20 with COC and 25 without) were included. Vestibular biopsies were obtained during the menstrual cycle. Estrogen receptors (ER) alpha and beta, progesterone receptors (PR) A and B, glucocorticoid receptor and androgen receptor as well as the proliferation marker Ki67 were analyzed using immunohistochemistry followed by computerized image analysis.


RESULTS
The vestibular stromal tissue of women using COC expressed more ERbeta (p=.024) than that of women without COC. In the follicular phase, PRB was more abundant in the stromal tissue than in the luteal phase (p=.01).


CONCLUSIONS
ERbeta is more abundant in the vulvar vestibular mucosa of women using COC than in that of women without COC. There is a cyclic variation in PRB in the vestibular mucosa in healthy women without COC.
Johannesson
Ulrika
U
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm 18288, Sweden. ulrika.johannesson@ds.se
Sahlin
Lena
L
Masironi
Britt
B
Rylander
Eva
E
Bohm-Starke
Nina
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D014844:Vulva / Q000378:metabolism*
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C101118:progesterone receptor A; C097314:progesterone receptor B