A Preliminary Study on the Correlation Between Age and Endometrial Receptivity

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Cellular and molecular biology
• Gynecology

Background:

• Female fertility is known to decrease with age, primarily due to ovarian function decline.
• The relationship between advanced maternal age and endometrial receptivity remains less understood.
• Endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs) and their surface markers (CD146, PDGF-Rβ) are crucial for endometrial health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of increasing age on endometrial receptivity.
• To examine the expression of eMSC surface markers (CD146, PDGF-Rβ) across different age groups.
• To analyze age-related changes in key endometrial receptivity markers (HOXA10, LIF, osteopontin) and hormone receptors (ER, PR).

Main Methods:

• 31 patients were categorized into three age groups: early (30-39), intermediate (40-49), and advanced (≥50).
• Immunofluorescence was used to assess CD146 and PDGF-Rβ expression.
• Immunohistochemistry analyzed HOXA10, LIF, osteopontin, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) expression.

Main Results:

• HOXA10 and osteopontin expression showed no significant age-related differences.
• Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) expression was significantly higher in the advanced age group compared to the early group (p=0.02).
• Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression were significantly increased in the advanced age group (p=0.01 for both).
• CD146 and PDGF-Rβ expression did not differ significantly among the age groups.

Conclusions:

• Patient age does not appear to significantly influence overall endometrial receptivity.
• Increased LIF, ER, and PR expression in older women may indicate compensatory mechanisms for age-related changes.
• This study enhances understanding of age-related infertility by exploring the role of eMSCs and endometrial receptivity markers.