The feasibility of a less invasive method to assess endometrial maturation--comparison of simultaneously obtained uterine secretion and tissue biopsy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the assessment of endometrial maturation parameters in endometrial secretion samples obtained by a novel minimally invasive technique with those assessed in tissue biopsies.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University Hospital.


METHODS
Healthy female volunteers attending a gynaecological outpatient clinic.


METHODS
Endometrial secretion fluid and tissue sampling 5 days after a spontaneous ovulation assessed with ultrasound.


METHODS
Progesterone (P) receptor, Ki-67 expression and the Noyes criteria were used to date endometrial biopsies. In the endometrial fluid samples, glycodelin A (GdA), leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and P levels were analysed, and protein content and electrophoresis patterns were determined.


RESULTS
All data were correlated to estradiol (E2) and P serum concentrations. The dating according to histology and immunohistochemical staining patterns correlated significantly with GdA levels (r=0.376, P=0.048) in endometrial fluid samples as well with serum levels of E2 (r=0.568, P=0.001) and P (r=0.408, P=0.023). No correlation was observed between tissue dating and LIF levels and protein content in endometrial fluid samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The measurement of GdA in endometrial secretion samples may provide a less invasive method for assessing endometrial maturation in potential conception cycles without disrupting implantation.
van der Gaast
M H
MH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Reproductive Medicine, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Macklon
N S
NS
Beier-Hellwig
K
K
Krusche
C A
CA
Fauser
B C J M
BC
Beier
H M
HM
Classen-Linke
I
I
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; C045246:PAEP protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011374:Progesterone