Study On The Expression Of Epithelia-Cdherin In Endometrium

Objective:To investigate the characteristic of epithelia-cadherin (E-cadherin) expression in endometrium and the relationship between E-cadherin and the serum level of estradiol/progesterone during secretive phase.Metheds: The biopsy endomertial samples of 82 infertility cases were obtained during follicular phase or luteal phase. According to the cause of infertility, these patients were divided into three groups: male factor (group I, n=30), fallopian tubal factor (group II, n=27), ovulation abnormality (group III, n=25). The expression of E-cadherin in endometriun was detected by immunohistochemistry. The concentrations of 62 and P in serum were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The mid-secretive phase endometrium of group I were send to scanning electron microscopy in order to affirm "implantation window".Results1. E-cadherin expressed in the cytoplasma of endometrium glandular epithelium and luminal epithelium cells, no expressionin stroma cells. The staining of E-cadherin in the three groups was strong in secretive phase and weak in proliferative phase.2. In group I and II, the expression of E-cadherin during the mid-secretive phase were significantly different from the early and late secretive phases (p<0.05). In group III, there were no significant differences in the three phases.3. The expression of E-cadherin were different in the three groups throughout cycle : the expression of E-cadherin was the highest in group I and seemed lower in group II ,but there was no significant difference between the two groups. The expression of E-cadherin in group III was the significantly lowest.( P<0.05) .4. Serum level of P was positively related to the expression of E-cadherin during secretive phase in three groups (P<0.05). Serum level of E2 were not related to the expression of E-cadherin during secretive phase in three groups (P>0.05).5. 83% Pinopodes can be observed by SEM during LH(+)6~8d period, which indicated the opening of the window of implantation.Conclusions1. the higher expression of E-cadherin in ovulation normalitywomen in secretive phase especially during implantationwindow period was probably help to the embryonicnidation. 2. the lower expression of E-cadherin in ovulation abnormalitywomen during implantation window period was one of thereasons of infertility.