Endometrial glycodelin-A expression in the luteal phase of stimulated ovarian cycles

Objective: To determine if controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) affect s the endometrial expression of glycodelin-A (GdA). Design: Prospective, controlled study. Setting: Tertiary infertility clinic. Patient(s): Fifteen oocyte donors undergoing COH cycles and 19 natural-cycl e control patients. Intervention(s): COH, endometrial biopsies. Main Outcome Measure(s): Immunohistochemical scoring of endometrial GdA exp ression, morphologic endometrial dating, and serum E-2, LH, and P-4 concent rations. Result(s): GdA was detected in all subjects throughout the implantation win dow period. Immunolocalization was demonstrated in the endometrial glands a nd not in the stroma or on the surface. A significantly increased proportio n of GdA-staining endometrial cells were noted in COH cycle patients as com pared with natural-cycling control patients throughout the window of embryo implantation. Both cycle types demonstrated increasing GdA expression thro ughout the late luteal phase. A significant positive correlation was noted between GdA expression and serum E-2 levels (r = 0.5, P<.001) in natural cy cles and advanced histology in COH cycles (r = 0.63, P = .01). Neither LH n or P-4 were correlated with endometrial GdA expression. Conclusion(s): COH cycles have a significantly increased endometrial GdA ex pression throughout the implantation phase of the luteal cycle when compare d with normal menstrual cycles. The increased expression may affect implant ation during COH cycles. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000;74:130-3. (C) 2000 by Ameri can Society for Reproductive Medicine).