Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Endogenous opioid peptides in uterine fluid.

F Petraglia, F Facchinetti, K M'Futa

Fertility and Sterility

|August 1, 1986

Summary

Endogenous opioid peptides, beta-endorphin and methionine-enkephalin, are found in the uterine fluid of fertile women and cows. Their presence in uterine fluid suggests a potential physiological role in endometrial secretions.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

p53 status is neither a predictive nor a prognostic variable in patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with a paclitaxel-based regimen.

Anticancer research·2001

Same author

Serum allopregnanolone in women with postpartum "blues".

Obstetrics and gynecology·2001

Same author

The use of a starting dose of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: a randomized pilot study.

Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology·2000

Same author

Six-month oral dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation in early and late postmenopause.

Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology·2000

Same author

Ovarian follicular fluid contains immunoreactive estriol: lack of correlation with estradiol concentrations.

Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology·2000

Same author

Dose-response efficacy of a new estradiol transdermal matrix patch for 7-day application: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Italian Menopause Research Group.

Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology·2000

Area of Science:

Reproductive Endocrinology
Neuroimmunology

Background:

Endogenous opioid peptides (beta-endorphin and methionine-enkephalin) are known to influence endocrine and immune functions.
The presence and role of these peptides in the female reproductive tract, specifically uterine fluid, are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and concentration of beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and methionine-enkephalin (MET-ENK) in uterine fluid.
To explore the potential physiological significance of these opioid peptides in endometrial secretions across different reproductive states.

Main Methods:

Detection and quantification of immunoreactive (IR) beta-EP and IR MET-ENK in uterine fluid samples.
Analysis of peptide concentrations in fertile women during different menstrual cycle phases and in postmenopausal women with and without hormone treatment.

Related Experiment Videos

Comparison of IR MET-ENK levels in uterine fluid of normally cycling and superovulated cows, as well as in follicular and oviductal fluid.

Main Results:

Beta-endorphin and methionine-enkephalin were detected in the uterine fluid of fertile women and cows.
These peptides were absent in untreated postmenopausal women but present after estrogen-progesterone treatment.
Higher IR MET-ENK concentrations were observed in the secretory phase compared to the proliferative phase in women.
IR MET-ENK levels were elevated in superovulated cows compared to controls.

Conclusions:

Endogenous opioid peptides beta-EP and MET-ENK are present in the uterine fluid of fertile women and cows.
Hormonal status significantly influences the presence of these peptides in postmenopausal women.
The findings support a potential physiological role for endometrial secretions containing opioid peptides in reproductive processes.