Immunocytochemical study of insulin-like growth factor I and insulin-like growth factor I receptor in human endometrium during the normal menstrual cycle

Our aims were to detect, using immunocytochemistry, IGFI and IGFI R in the human endometrium and to assess semiquantitatively their levels in the phases of the normal menstrual cycle. Twelve normal proliferative and 10 normal secretory endometrial samples were studied. Each specimen was subjected to an immunocytochemical peroxidase antiperoxidase protocol. The antibodies used to detect IGFI and IGFI R were, respectively, 3D1/2/1 and alpha 1R3. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to evaluate mean IGFI and IGFI R levels in the glandular epithelium and stroma of each sample while correcting for intra- and interobserver variation. These experiments show the presence of IGFI and IGFI R in human endometrium. There are significant variations in the IGFI and IGFI R levels from patient to patient within each cycle phase, and between glands and stroma within each sample. These findings highlight the importance of the use of in situ studies to clarify endometrial IGFI and IGFI R physiology.