HIGH-DOSES OF ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVES DO NOT ALTER ENDOMETRIAL ALPHA-1 AND ALPHA-V-BETA-3 INTEGRINS IN THE LATE IMPLANTATION WINDOW

Objective: To assess the effects of an emergency contraceptive agent o n the distribution of integrin heterodimers during that part of the im plantation window. Design: Prospective, case-controlled study in a uni versity-based Population Program. In the first ovulatory control cycle after the detection of LH surge, patients had endometrial sampling 11 days after the surge. In the next cycle the procedure was repeated 2 days after the administration of a postcoital contraceptive agent on d ay 9 after LH surge (100 g ethinyl E(2) and 2 mg norgestrel). Main Out come Measures: The effects of postcoital contraceptives on the express ion of integrin heterodimers (alpha 1 and alpha v beta 3 subunits) rep orted to be unique to secretory phase was determined.