Detection of aromatase cytochrome P-450 in endometrial biopsy specimens as a diagnostic test for endometriosis

Objective: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of examining endometrial biopsy specimens for aromatase cytochrome P-450 as a diagnostic test for endometriosis. Design: Retrospective, case-controlled study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. Patient(s): One hundred five women of reproductive age with normal menstrual cycles underwent endometrial biopsy laparotomy or laparoscopy, and examination of their tissue revealed endometriosis, adenomyosis, and/or leiomyomas. Patients who had cervical carcinoma in situ but no other gynecologic disease were considered to be disease-free. Intervention(s): Endometrial biopsy specimens were collected. Main Outcome Measure(s): The expression of aromatase cytochrome P-450 was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis. The distribution and intensity of the immunostaining was assessed using a semiquantitative index designed H-score. Result(s): Immunostaining for aromatase cytochrome P-450 was detected in biopsy specimens obtained from patients with endometriosis, adenomyosis, and/or leiomyomas but not in specimens obtained from disease-free patients (H-score <20), with a sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion(s): The expression of aromatase cytochrome P-450 in biopsy specimens of eutopic endometrium distinguishes between disease-free women and women with endometriosis, adenomyosis, and/or leiomyomas. This technique can be used at outpatient infertility clinics as an initial screening procedure to rule out the presence of estrogen-dependent disease. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.