title: The G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is expressed in normal human ovaries and is upregulated in ovarian endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease involving the ovary.
abstract: Estrogens play a crucial role in maintaining ovarian function. Deregulation of estrogen signals is associated with fertility-impairing disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is present in the human ovary. Additionally, we  analyzed the folliculogenesis and ovarian endometriosis in GPER expression. Seventy-nine patients (ovarian endometriosis, n = 26; ovarian pelvic inflammatory disease [PID], n = 10; normal ovaries/endometrium, n = 30/13) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Normal ovaries were also assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and double immunofluorescence. The most intense expression of GPER was noted in the ovarian surface epithelium. Theca cells and oocytes were also significantly positive. Expression of GPER was more frequent in mature follicles/oocytes than in primordial ones, implying that GPER could be a selector during folliculogenesis. Moreover, GPER was upregulated in ovarian endometriosis and PID. Overexpression of GPER in both inflammation and endometriosis affecting the ovary may prove useful in explaining/predicting the main endometriosis-related symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heublein
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lenhard
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vrekoussis
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schoepfer
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friese
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makrigiannakis
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mayr
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jeschke
mesh_terms: D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled