Glycodelin in endometrial flushing fluid and endometrial biopsies from infertile and fertile women.

Objective: To investigate in the natural cycle just before IVF, whether glycodelin levels in endometrial flushing fluid obtained days LH+1 and LH+7 can be used in predicting pregnancy in the following IVF cycle, and whether there are differences in women with tubal factor infertility compared to women with unexplained infertility and fertile controls.

Study Design: A prospective observational multicentre study of 21 fertile and 75 infertile women (25 showed abnormal tubes with no signs of hydrosalpinges, 18 had uni- or bi-lateral hydrosalpinges, 17 were salpingectomised because of hydrosalpinges, and 15 women had unexplained infertility). Endometrial flushing at days LH+1 and LH+7, endometrial biopsy, and blood sampling at day LH+7 were performed before down-regulation for IVF.

Identification of differences in gene expression in primary cell cultures of human endometrial epithelial cells and trophoblast cells following their interaction.

Background: The interaction between epithelial cells of endometrium and trophoblast cells during implantation is presumed to be accompanied by a change in gene expression in the cell types involved. The objective of this study was to identify such differentially expressed genes.

Methods: The interaction between the cell types was simulated in vitro by growing primary cell cultures of human endometrial epithelial cells and trophoblast cells together (co-culture) and separately (control cultures).

The antiprogesterone Org 31710 inhibits human blastocyst-endometrial interactions in vitro.

Objective: To investigate the effect of the anti-P Org 31710 on human blastocyst attachment to cultured endometrial epithelial cells.

Design: Experimental in vitro study.

Setting: University hospital.

Biochemical evaluation of endometrial function at the time of implantation.

Objective: To review the literature on various endometrial factors assumed to be of importance to implantation and to evaluate their potential clinical value in the assessment of endometrial function at the time of implantation in infertile women in natural and stimulated cycles.

Design: Literature review.

Result(s): Cytokines such as leukemia inhibitory factor, colony-stimulating factor-1, and interleukin-1 have all been shown to play important roles in the cascade of events that leads to implantation.