title: Endometrial morphology and modulation of hormone receptors during ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology cycles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the biochemical and morphologic implications of different hormonal levels on endometrial development during assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven women during a natural cycle (controls) and 11 oocyte donors during an ART cycle (treated).
  
  
  METHODS
  At the time consistent with day-3 ET, a transvaginal ultrasound, an endometrial biopsy, and blood sampling were performed. Morphology and thickness of the endometrial stripe were recorded. Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to measure messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for estrogen receptor (ER)-α, ER-β, P receptor (PR)-A, and PR-B in the endometrial tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  To evaluate morphologic and biochemical endometrial development.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endometrium was mostly trilaminar (proliferative-like pattern) and thicker in the treated group, as opposed to homogeneous and thinner in the controls. The PR-B mRNA expression increased 41% in treated patients; PR-A mRNA expression, instead, was unchanged. Serum E(2) and P were higher in the treated group than in controls. In contrast, FSH and LH levels were lower in the treated group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When compared with natural cycles, exposure of the endometrium to high hormone levels during ovarian stimulation significantly increased PR-B receptor expression at the time of ET. Concurrently, a proliferative-like endometrial pattern persisted. These findings reflect a delayed endometrial development in ART.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, USA. ldetti@uthsc.edu
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Detti
authors.forename: Ghassan M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Saed
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brossoit
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Diamond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000379:methods; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000235:genetics; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C506487:ESR1 protein, human; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C101118:progesterone receptor A; C097314:progesterone receptor B; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone