Endometrial estrogen and progesterone receptor and pinopode expression in stimulated cycles of oocyte donors

Objective: To study the effect of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and t he ovarian response on several features of endometrial morphology simultane ously. Design: Prospective controlled study. Setting: Academic infertility center. Patient(s): Twenty-five oocyte donors undergoing COH and 10 ovulatory contr ols. Intervention(s): Endometrial biopsies during the luteal phase and measureme nt of serum E-2 and progesterone levels on days 12, 13, and 18-20. Main Outcome Measure(s): Endometrial morphology as judged by histologic dat ing, pinopode expression, and estrogen and progesterone receptor content. Result(s): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation caused the early expression of endometrial features as judged by histologic dating criteria, estrogen a nd progesterone receptor expression, and the timing of pinopode expression in many of the subjects. A significant correlation within subjects with reg ard to their particular result on any one measure (e.g., histologic examina tion) and the others (e.g., estrogen and progesterone receptors, pinopodes) was observed. Those with higher levels of progesterone the day after hCG a dministration exhibited the most prematurity of morphologic features. Conclusion(s): Many controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles are associat ed with synchronous early expression of the expected pattern of histologic features, estrogen and progesterone receptors, and pinopodes. The most pred ictive feature of this premature expression was the level of progesterone t he day after hCG administration. (Fertil Steril(R) 1999;71:1040-7. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).