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I. Aging of the human endometrium: a basic morphological and immunohistochemical study
Objective:
To evaluate if human endometrium presents morphological variations suggestive of an age-related decline in endometrial receptivity.
Study Design:
Peri-implantation endometrium of younger (<30 years of age: n = 13) and older (>40 years of age: n = 17) normally menstruating women was studied. Endometrial specimens were routinely fixed in buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections (5 mu m) were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Trichrome conforming to Masson according to conventional histologic examination. Several consecutive sections were used for the following immunohistochemical study: vascular localization (CD34), cellular proliferation index (PCNA), progesterone and estrogen receptors.
Results:
Using both the traditional morphological evaluation and monoclonal antibodies, no significant differences were found between the endometria of women <30 years of age and those of women >40.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that human endometrium does not age, at least while cyclic hormonal stimulation and menstruation are present.