title: Steroid receptor expression in human endometrium during the follicular phase of stimulated cycles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  No data are currently available regarding kinetics of human endometrial steroid receptors in stimulated cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 31 patients (age <39 years) stimulated with gonadotrophins and GnRH antagonists for intrauterine insemination (IUI) an endometrial biopsy was performed on the first day after the end of menstruation and a second biopsy was performed two (Group 0 + 2, n = 10) or four (Group 0 + 4, n = 11) days after the first biopsy, or on the day of hCG administration (Group 0 + hCG, n = 10). Expression of progesterone (PR) and estrogen (ER) receptor was investigated by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PR and ER levels were significantly increased in the second versus the first biopsy, in all groups analyzed (P = 0.01), in both stromal and glandular cells. Between the three groups compared, a significant increase in PR expression was observed for glandular cells (P = 0.03), with the highest value observed in Group 0 + 4. Moreover, the increase in PR expression in stromal cells differed between groups (P = 0.01), with the highest value observed in the Group 0 + hCG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In stimulated cycles for IUI, ER expression in both glandular and stromal endometrial cells, after an initial increase, does not appear to change significantly during the follicular phase. On the contrary, during the same period of time, following an initial rise, PR expression in glandular and stromal cells continues to increase.
authors.affiliation: Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kyrou
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kolibianakis
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Venetis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miliaras
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Theodoridis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tzevelekis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bontis
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Tarlatzis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone