Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and progesterone receptor in ednometrium of mid-secretory phase in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion

Abstract

Objective To examine the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and progesterone receptor (PR) in ednometrium of mid- secretory phase in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA),and to explore their significance.Methods Between June 2010 and October 2011,22 URSA cases were selected and recruited into research group,and 20 normal women were assigned into control group in Department of Reproductive Medical Center,Guangdong Women and Children Hospital and the Third Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College.Real time quantitative fluorescence PCR (RTQ-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the relative expressions of VEGF and PR in endometrium of mid-secretory phase in two groups.Results The expression rates of mRNA and protein of VEGF and PR were 100％ in both two groups.The protein expression of VEGF was in luminal epithelium and mesenchyma and that of PR in glandular epithelium and mesenchyma.The expression levels of mRNA and protein of VEGF and PR in research group were significantly lower than those in control group (0.16±0.10 vs 0.34±0.22; 0.014±0.004 vs 0.018±0.005;2.52±0.99 vs 4.38± 1.44; 0.25±0.02 vs 0.32±0.02,all P＜0.05).Conclusion The relatively lower expression levels of VEGF and PR in endometrium of mid-secretory phase may be one of the mechanisms to cause URSA. Key words: Abortion, habitual; Luteal phase; Endometrium; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Progesterone receptor