Estrogen and progesterone receptors in endometrium in women with unexplained infertility

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between endometrial concentrations of estrogen and progesterone receptors throughout the menstrual cycle in women with unexplained infertility.

In forty four infertile women with unexplained infertility, biopsy of the endometrium was performed during simultaneous laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. Material was prepared for immunohistochemical staining. Forty four endometrial samples obtained from women with normal menstrual cycles were divided into four categories: early proliferative, late proliferative, early secretory and late secretory. Immunohistochemical localization of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) was scored according to intensity of staining and proportion of cells specifically stained in glandular epithelium and stroma and results were analyzed.

The early secretory phase appeared to be period of transition from the strong and ubiquitous staining for receptor characteristic of proliferative phase of endometrium to the weak, focal pattern of estrogen receptors. Progesterone receptors in early secretory phase were of strong staining and sufficient number of stained cells.