The Content Analysis Of Estradiol In Tears And Serum Of Postmenopausal Women

Objective The relationship between dry eye syndrome and estradiol in tears and serum of the postmenopausal women was studied.Methods Chemiluminescence method was employed to determinate the estradiol contents in tears and serum of the postmenopausal and premenopause women. The data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test and Spearman rank correlation analysis. The bulbar conjunctiva was obtained by impression cytology. The morphological characteristics were described by light microscope. According to the changes of goblet and conjunctival cells such as size, morphology, quantity, nucleocytoplasmic ratio (N/C) et al, pathological changes of ocular surface were studied. Meanwhile, the microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Results In comparison to the premenopause group, the content of estradiol in tears and serum of menopause group reduced in a statistically significant way (P=0.001). The estradiol content in tears and serum was positive correlativity (P<0.05) in the premenopause group, and the menopause group showed no correlation. Impression cytology grading of premenopause group were grade 0 and grade 1, and menopause group were grade 2 and grade 3. There were obvious pathological changes in ocular surface of dry eye syndrome of postmenopausal women. The SEM results were described as follows: The conjunctival epithelium cells of the premenopause group were small, round, regular and closely arranged. There were many microvillus and slender apophysis and mucous granules observed on the surface of conjunctival epithelium cells. Goblet cells scattered among the conjunctival epithelium cells and opened directly onto the surface. The mucous secretion was vigorous. The conjunctival epithelium cells of the menopause group were big, flat and irregular shape. The microvillus was reduced and short, and the intercelluar junctions became loosed. A few mucous granules were seen on the surface. Goblet cell was rare.Conclusion The estradiol content in tears of the menopause group is significantly lower than that of the premenopause group. Estradiol content in tears and serum of thepostmenopausal women shows no correlation.