Abstract
Existing data on the expression of estrogen receptor (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) in fallopian tubes in postmenopausal women are mostly inconclusive. Therefore, we assessed ERα and PR immunoexpression in the oviducts of these women. One hundred postmenopausal women were divided into three groups based on time elapsed since the last menstrual period: (A) 1–5 years, (B) 6–10 years, and (C) ≥11 years. In all groups, both in the glandular epithelium and stroma of the ampulla and isthmus of the oviduct, immunolocalization of ERα and PR were noted. The glandular epithelium of the ampulla showed a higher percentage of PR-positive cells than the isthmus in each group. Regarding ERα, there were no significant differences. In the glandular epithelium in both the ampulla and isthmus, the percentage of ERα- and PR-positive cells was significantly higher than that in the stroma in each study group and higher in the A group than in the C group. In conclusion, in postmenopausal women, time elapsed since the last menstrual period in the fallopian tubes was positively correlated with the following: (1) the epithelium showed vacuolation of cytoplasm with greater frequency, (2) the proportion of ciliated cells decreased, and (3) the percentage of ERα- and PR-positive cells also decreased. The obtained results indicate a significant decrease in ERα and PR expression depending on the time that has elapsed since the last menstruation, which is undoubtedly related to the loss of the reproductive function of the patients.
Highlights
In recent years, an increase in average length of life has been observed in women, most of which falls in the postmenopausal period
There was no statistical significance in the age at last menstrual period between the compared groups (Table 1)
This study focused on assessing ERα and progesterone receptor (PR) immunolocalization and immunoexpression in the fallopian tubes and the morphology of tubal epithelial cells in postmenopausal women depending on the time elapsed since the last menstrual period
Summary
An increase in average length of life has been observed in women, most of which falls in the postmenopausal period. Demographic data have revealed that 25 million women undergo menopause worldwide each year. It is estimated that by 2030, the number of postmenopausal women worldwide could reach 1.2 billion [1]. This situation necessitates a detailed analysis of the characteristic issues during this period. Menopause is the last menstrual period followed by no menstruation for the 12 months, with no pathological causes found. This is a natural process that constitutes one of the signs of aging and is associated with numerous changes in the female body.
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