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

Objective: To determine if controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) affects 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-cycle control patients. Intervention(s): COH, endometrial biopsies. Main Outcome Measure(s): Immunohistochemical scoring of endometrial GdA expression, morphologic endometrial dating, and serum E-2, LH, and P-4 concentrations. Result(s): GdA was detected in all subjects throughout the implantation window period. Immunolocalization was demonstrated in the endometrial glands and not in the stroma or on the surface. A significantly increased proportion of GdA-staining endometrial cells were noted in COH cycle patients as compared with natural-cycling control patients throughout the window of embryo implantation. Both cycle types demonstrated increasing GdA expression throughout 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 cycles and advanced histology in COH cycles (r = 0.63, P = .01). Neither LH nor P-4 were correlated with endometrial GdA expression. Conclusion(s): COH cycles have a significantly increased endometrial GdA expression throughout the implantation phase of the luteal cycle when compared with normal menstrual cycles. The increased expression may affect implantation during COH cycles. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000;74:130-3. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine).