Epidermal growth factor receptor in human uterine tissues

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was studied in human endometrium and myometrium collected throughout the menstrual cycle (five follicular, five luteal specimens) by immunohistochemistry and quantitative ligand binding. EGFR was principally present on the cell surface of glandular epithelium of the endometrium. Staining was no different between the follicular and luteal phases. There was more EGFR binding in endometrium than myometrium by quantitative ligand binding in membrane preparations: endometrium, median = 92.5 fmol/mg protein (range 25.3-294) n = 10; myometrium, median = 43.0 fmol/mg protein (range 23.4-57) n = 10. There was no difference in the level of binding in the follicular and luteal phases.