Exogenous gonadotropins--serum oestrogen and progesterone and the effect on endometrial morphology in the rat.

The serum levels of oestrogen and progesterone in hyperstimulated, pregnant rats were compared with those of normal pregnant animals. The endometrial morphology was studied before (4.5 days), at the time of (5.5 days) and after (6.5 days) implantation. In the hyperstimulated group serum oestradiol levels were significantly higher than in the controls at 2.5 and 4.5 days, while progesterone levels were similar in the two groups. Consequently the progesterone:oestradiol ratio was significantly lower in the experimental groups prior to implantation. Significant changes in the endometrium caused by the raised oestradiol levels, included an early increase in gland epithelial height, increased surface epithelial height, increased number and length of microvilli, deficiencies in the glycocalyx and decreased mitotic activity in the surface epithelium and stromal cells. In addition, epithelial cell degeneration and failure of decidualisation of stromal cells was observed. These morphological changes adversely affect embryo attachment and implantation. Similar pathological changes in the endometrium may occur in human in vitro fertilisation utilising superovulation and may be an important factor in the low success rate of these programmes.

[1]  B. Stein,et al.  The effect of exogenous gonadotropic hormones on the endometrium of the rat. , 1989, Journal of anatomy.

[2]  C. O'neill,et al.  Failure of implantation in human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer patients: The effects of altered progesterone/ estrogen ratios in humans and mice , 1987, Fertility and sterility.

[3]  E. Rudak,et al.  Periovulatory 17β-estradiol changes and embryo morphologic features in conception and nonconceptional cycles after human in vitro fertilization , 1986 .

[4]  R. Jansen,et al.  Cyclic changes in human endometrial surface glycoproteins: a quantitative histochemical study. , 1985, Fertility and sterility.

[5]  D. Martel,et al.  Problems related to the implantation of the human egg after in vitro fertilization. , 1985, Acta Europaea fertilitatis.

[6]  R. Edwards,et al.  Analysis of 25 infertile patients treated consecutively by in vitro fertilization at Bourn Hall. , 1984, Fertility and sterility.

[7]  L. Veeck,et al.  The importance of the follicular phase to success and failure in in vitro fertilization. , 1983, Fertility and sterility.

[8]  O. Jänne.  Progesterone Action in Mammalian Uterus , 1981, Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. Supplement.

[9]  A. Beer,et al.  Disappearance of anionic sites from the surface of the rat endometrial epithelium at the time of blastocyst implantation. , 1979, Biology of reproduction.

[10]  E. Wilmsen,et al.  Unusual sex hormone patterns among desert-dwelling hunter-gatherers. , 1978, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.

[11]  E. Desombre,et al.  Modulation of uterine morphology and growth by estradiol-17beta and an estrogen antagonist , 1975, The Journal of cell biology.

[12]  A. Enders,et al.  Cellular basis of interaction between trophoblast and uterus at implantation. , 1975, Biology of reproduction.

[13]  L. Martin,et al.  The role of the oestrogen secreted before oestrus in the preparation of the uterus for implantation in the mouse. , 1970, The Journal of endocrinology.

[14]  A. Enders,et al.  A morphological analysis of the early implantation stages in the rat , 1967 .

[15]  O. Nilsson.  Attachment of rat and mouse blastocysts onto uterine epithelium. , 1967, International journal of fertility.

[16]  E SPAZIANI,et al.  Relationship between early vascular responses and growth in the rat uterus: stimulation of cell division by estradiol and vasodilating amines. , 1963, Endocrinology.