Serum glycodelin pattern during the menstrual cycle in healthy young women.
OBJECTIVE
Glycodelin (PP14) is produced by the epithelium of the endometrium and its determination in the serum is used for functional evaluation of this tissue. Given the complex regulation and the combined contraceptive and immunosuppressive roles of glycodelin, the current lack of normal values for its serum concentration in the physiological menstrual cycle, derived from a large sample number, is a problem. We have therefore established reference values from over 600 sera.


METHODS
Retrospective study using banked serum samples.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Measurement of blood samples daily or every second day during one full cycle.


METHODS
Serum concentrations of glycodelin and normal values for every such one- or two-day interval were calculated. Late luteal phase glycodelin levels were compared with ovarian hormones. Follicular phase levels were compared with stimulated cycles from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.


RESULTS
Glycodelin concentrations were low around ovulation. Highest levels were observed at the end of the luteal phase; the glycodelin serum peak was reached 6-8 days after the one for progesterone. Late luteal glycodelin levels correlated negatively with the body mass index and positively with the progesterone level earlier in the secretory (mid-luteal) phase in the same woman. No associations with other ovarian hormones were observed. Follicular phase glycodelin levels were higher in the spontaneous than in the in vitro fertilization cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal values taken at two- or one-day intervals demonstrate the very late appearance of high serum glycodelin levels during the physiological menstrual cycle and their correlation with progesterone occurring earlier in the cycle.
Bersinger
Nick A
NA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland. nick.bersinger@dkf.unibe.ch
Birkhäuser
Martin H
MH
Yared
Mengistu
M
Wunder
Dorothea M
DM
D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood*; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
D000071816:Glycodelin; D006023:Glycoproteins; D020738:Leptin; C045246:PAEP protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; C422362:inhibin A; C422364:inhibin B; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D002097:C-Reactive Protein