Gene expression during successful implantation in a natural cycle.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the human endometrial transcriptome during embryonic implantation.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Tertiary fertility center.


METHODS
A 24-year-old woman who inadvertently became pregnant during an endometrial biopsy procedure.


METHODS
An endometrial biopsy was performed with a Pipelle device during the midluteal phase (days 19-21) of the cycle; blood samples for hormonal assessments were collected and a transvaginal ultrasound was performed.


METHODS
Gene expression analysis of the endometrium during the window of implantation (during the implantation of an embryo) in a natural cycle. Localization of selected genes in endometrial tissue with immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
A total of 394 probe sets were differentially expressed in the pregnant sample when compared with the midsecretory phase nonpregnant endometrial samples. Different gene networks were involved, and selected genes from these signaling pathways were confirmed at the protein level.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial gene expression of a pregnant patient in a natural cycle is significantly different from nonpregnant patients during the midsecretory phase.
Van Vaerenbergh
Inge
I
Department of Pathology, UZ Brussel and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Jette, Belgium. ivvaeren@vub.ac.be
McIntire
Ramsey
R
Van Lommel
Leentje
L
Devroey
Paul
P
Giudice
Linda
L
Bourgain
Claire
C
D001706:Biopsy; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000235:genetics*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000235:genetics*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult