title: Evaluation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in menstrual blood and its identification in human endometrium.
abstract: The presence of high-affinity brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor Trk B in mouse and in human fetal oocytes, together with the presence of neurotrophins in human follicular fluid suggests a paracrine role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in female biology. This study aims to evaluate if BDNF is present and quantitatively determined in human menstrual blood and endometrium. Twenty-one women were studied and subdivided in two groups: A, 11 fertile women (27 ± 2 days cycle length) and B, 10 anovulatory women and/or women with inadequate luteal phase (36 ± 2 days cycle length). In fertile women menstrual BDNF levels was higher than plasma (679.3 ± 92.2 vs 301.9 ± 46.7 pg/ml p <0.001). Similarly, in Group B, BDNF in menstrual blood was higher than plasma (386.1 ± 85.2 vs 166.8 ± 24.1 pg/ml p < 0.001). Moreover, both menstrual and plasma BDNF concentrations in Group A were significantly higher respect to Group B (679.3 ± 92.2 vs 386.1 ± 85.2 pg/ml p < 0.001; 301.9 ± 46.7 vs 166.8 ± 24.1 pg/ml p < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry evidence of BDNF in endometrium, during follicular and luteal phase, was also shown. The detection of BDNF in the human menstrual blood and endometrium further supports the role of this neurotrophin in female reproductive function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine and Child Development, Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. nataliarusso@libero.it
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Daino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Freschi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Merlini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pluchino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luisi
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood; D008598:Menstruation / Q000097:blood*; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D011374:Progesterone