title: Increased endometrial placenta growth factor (PLGF) gene expression in women with successful implantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the vascularization of the endometrium via hysteroscopy and to assess its correlation with angiogenic factor gene expression and embryo implantation rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Public university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients undergoing hysteroscopy for supposed infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial quality assessment according to Sakumoto-Masamoto, performed in the early secretory phase of the cycle. Collection of an endometrial tissue biopsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  RNA extraction, reverse transcription, and determination of gene expression of angiogenesis- and implantation-relevant factors using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Retrieval of pregnancy information from the medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Good quantity/quality RNA with infertility history was obtained from 63 participating women. Those with a "good" endometrium and subsequent pregnancy showed increased gene expression for placenta growth factor when compared with patients with a "bad" endometrium and who did not succeed with pregnancy to date. Nonpregnant women with a "good" endometrium presented an intermediate result. No significant differences were observed for several other genes tested, but trends in the same direction were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates for the first time that endometrial PLGF expression corresponds to the hysteroscopic appearance of the endometrium, and therefore has potential as a clinically relevant prognosticator for infertility treatment success.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santi
authors.forename: Rahel S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Felser
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Dorothea M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wunder
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McKinnon
authors.forename: Nick A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Bersinger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003944:Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor