Attenuated tubal and endometrial urocortin 1 and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor expression in ectopic pregnancy.
Fallopian tube (FT) and endometrial urocortin 1 (Ucn1) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-receptor (CRH-R1/CRH-R2) expression were examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry in nonpregnant and pregnant women (intrauterine, IUP; ectopic pregnancy, EP). Tubal Ucn1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was higher in luteal compared to follicular phase (P < .01) and equivalent to follicular phase in FT from EP. Tubal CRH-R1/CRH-R2 mRNA was lower in luteal phase (P < .05) and in FT from EP compared to follicular phase (P < .01). Ucn1 mRNA was lower in endometrium from EP compared to IUP (P < .05). Corticotropin-releasing hormone-R1 mRNA was higher in endometrium from EP compared to viable IUP (P < .05). No differences were observed in CRH-R2 expression. Corticotropin-releasing hormone-R1 protein was primarily localized to epithelium of FT and endometrium. Quantitative analysis of tubal CRH-R1 protein expression reflected that seen at the mRNA level but endometrial expression was equivocal. The demonstration of attenuated tubal/endometrial Ucn1/CRH-R expression in EP further supports a role of the CRH-family in embryo implantation.
Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
L E
LE
Borges
A W
AW
Horne
S E
SE
McDonald
J L V
JL
Shaw
P C
PC
Lourenco
F
F
Petraglia
H O D
HO
Critchley
D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000378:metabolism*; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D054832:Urocortins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D054832:Urocortins; D012313:RNA