CELL-PROLIFERATION IS INCREASED IN THE ENDOMETRIUM OF WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

Objective: To compare the proliferation of endothelial, epithelial, an d stromal cells in the endometrium of women with endometriosis and nor mal controls. Design: Proliferating cells were identified using the mo noclonal antibody antiproliferating cell nuclear antigen. A second ant ibody (CD34) was used to identify endothelial cells (ECs). Setting: Un iversity Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Patients: Women wit h laparoscopically proven endometriosis, n = 30. Controls were women w ith a normal pelvis at laparoscopy performed for tubal sterilization o r for infertility due to a male factor, n = 27. Main Outcome Measures: Endothelial cells: proliferative index. Epithelial and stromal cells: semi-quantitative immunostaining score. Results: The mean EC prolifer ative index was significantly greater in those with endometriosis comp ared with controls. This difference was most marked during the prolife rative phase of the menstrual cycle. Proliferative phase epithelial an d stromal cells demonstrated significantly higher immunostaining score s in endometriosis patients than in controls. Conclusions: We have dem onstrated increased numbers of proliferating ECs as well as epithelial and stromal cells in proliferative phase endometrium of women with en dometriosis. This suggests that the endometrium of these women might h ave an enhanced ability to implant and survive in ectopic locations.