title: Ovarian stimulation modulates steroid receptor expression and spheroid attachment in peri-implantation endometria: studies on natural and stimulated cycles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effect of high serum E(2) levels on endometrial steroid receptors in gonadotropin-stimulated cycles (hCG + 7) and natural cycles (LH + 7), and to study its effect on spheroid attachment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infertile patient with normal menstrual cycles undergoing IVF treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gonadotropin stimulation and endometrial biopsy; trophoblast spheroid (embryo surrogate, Jeg-3)-endometrial cell (Ishikawa) coculture assay.
  
  
  METHODS
  Steroid receptor expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry; spheroid attachment rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endometrial biopsies from natural (n = 12) and stimulated (n = 23) cycles were obtained. The expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) but not ERβ or progesterone receptor (PR) transcript was significantly reduced in stimulated cycles compared with natural cycles. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) transcript was significantly increased in the excessive responders of the stimulated cycle. There was no difference in ERα immunoreactivity in endometrial stroma, but a higher immunoreactivity was seen in endometrial glands of stimulated cycles. The endometrium of stimulated cycles had a lower expression of PR protein in glands, but a higher expression in stroma. Although no GR protein was detected in glands, GR protein expression was significantly up-regulated in stroma of the stimulated cycles. Endometrial cells treated with high steroid concentrations had a reduced spheroid attachment rate compared with the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High serum E(2) level affects the expression of steroid receptors in the endometrial cells and suppresses spheroid attachment.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. jchai@hkucc.hku.hk
authors: Joyce
authors: J
authors: Chai
authors: Kai-Fai
authors: KF
authors: Lee
authors: Ernest H Y
authors: EH
authors: Ng
authors: William S B
authors: WS
authors: Yeung
authors: Pak-Chung
authors: PC
authors: Ho
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma; D001706:Biopsy; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002822:Choriocarcinoma; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000235:genetics; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007529:Isoflavones; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000235:genetics; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000235:genetics*; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D004967:Estrogens; D006062:Gonadotropins; D007529:Isoflavones; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D013256:Steroids; C072830:7,8-dihydroxy-2',4',5'-trimethoxyisoflavan