Expression of glucocorticoid and androgen receptors in bone marrow-derived hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic murine endometrial cells.

Objective: To determine whether bone marrow (BM)-derived cells engrafting the murine endometrium express the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and androgen receptor (AR). Recent data demonstrate that BM is a long-term source of multiple hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic endometrial cell types. Important roles for glucocorticoids and androgens in regulating endometrial functions, including decidualization and early embryo attachment/invasion, have very recently emerged.

The role of mesenchymal-epithelial transition in endometrial function.

Background: The human uterine endometrium undergoes significant remodeling and regeneration on a rapid and repeated basis, after parturition, menstruation, and in some cases, injury. The ability of the adult endometrium to undergo cyclic regeneration and differentiation/decidualization is essential for successful human reproduction. Multiple key physiologic functions of the endometrium require the cells of this tissue to transition between mesenchymal and epithelial phenotypes, processes known as mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Association of Cervical Microglandular Hyperplasia With Exogenous Progestin Exposure.

Objectives: Although microglandular hyperplasia is a benign endocervical lesion, it may raise concern of malignancy in an inexperienced pathologist, because clinicians may not be familiar with it on a report. It has been reported to occur in association with progestational stimulation, but this has not been well studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate this potential association.

Myometrial artery calcifications and aging.

Objective: This study aims to determine whether myometrial artery calcifications increase with age and whether uterine sections are an appropriate model for studying vascular aging.

Methods: An observational study of 172 women (aged 45 y or older) who underwent hysterectomy for benign indications at the University Hospital (Newark, NJ) between July 1, 2009 and June 1, 2012 was performed. Women with a history of malignancy, undocumented last menstrual period, or unavailable uterine tissue slides were excluded.

Effect of single embryo transfer on the risk of preterm birth associated with in vitro fertilization.

Purpose: To determine whether elective single embryo transfer (eSET) reduces the risk of preterm delivery associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Methods: This is an observational study of 3125 eSET cycles performed from 2008 to 2009 and reported to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) database. Preterm delivery rates were compared to the overall preterm delivery rate among all patients undergoing IVF over the same time period.

Cervical conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 and 3 in HIV-positive women: a case-control study.

Objective: The purposes of the study were to investigate the outcomes of cervical conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 and 3 in HIV-positive women and age-matched HIV-negative controls and to determine whether positive margin, positive endocervical curettage, CD4 count, or viral load was associated with the persistence of CIN 2,3 or residual CIN 2,3 on the specimen from repeat excision procedure or hysterectomy.

Materials And Methods: HIV-positive women and HIV-negative controls with CIN 2,3 on cervical conization were enrolled in the study. Patients who underwent repeat conization or hysterectomy were identified, and the specimens were evaluated for residual CIN 2,3.

Experimental evidence for bone marrow as a source of nonhematopoietic endometrial stromal and epithelial compartment cells in a murine model.

Human endometrium has the remarkable ability to regenerate all cellular compartments with every menstrual cycle; the cellular source remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the bone marrow (BM) is a source of multiple endometrial cell types using a murine BM transplant model. BM cells were harvested from transgenic donor mice that ubiquitously express green fluorescent protein (GFP) and were injected into lethally irradiated, syngeneic female recipient mice.

Reproductive tract actions of relaxin in models of human pregnancy.

Elucidating the role(s) of relaxin in women has been greatly hampered by its species specificity. Suitable experimental models of relaxin action in women are limited. We established a non-human primate model of early human pregnancy to study the effects of relaxin in vivo and used three well characterized in vitro models of human endometrial function for study of mechanisms involved.

Endometrial stem cells and reproduction.

Abnormal endometrial function remains a significant cause of implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, and other pathologies responsible for female infertility. The development of novel therapies to treat infertility due to endometrial dysfunction requires an understanding of the latest advancements in endometrial cell biology, such as the role of endometrial stem cells. The remarkable regenerative capacity of the human endometrium is absolutely essential for successful reproduction and likely requires a population of stem cells in the endometrium.

Collagen expression in the pregnant human cervix is decreased with labor.

Objective: The current study tested the hypothesis that collagen content in the pregnant cervix decreases with labor, using morphologically preserved specimens, avoiding limitations of earlier studies. Collagen abundance remote from pregnancy was also evaluated.

Materials And Methods: Histologic sections of postpartum cervix obtained from 22 cases of total hysterectomy performed immediately after delivery: 13 cases performed after delivery with no labor and 9 cases in which labor had ensued before delivery.

Is the diagnosis of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance associated with greater risk at an inner city hospital?

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the high-risk patients at an inner city hospital with atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGC) on their Pap smears have a higher rate of underlying significant pathology than that reported in published data.

Study Design: This was an Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review of all AGC Pap smears performed at University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey, between January 1, 2001, and July 30, 2008. We defined significant pathology as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 (CIN 2) or greater, endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ or greater, or simple hyperplasia or greater of the endometrium.

Body mass index of patients with endometrial hyperplasia: comparison to patients with proliferative endometrium and abnormal bleeding.

Objective: Endometrial hyperplasia is a known risk factor for the development of endometrial cancer, particularly atypical hyperplasia, with a subsequent risk of up to 30%. Of the known risk factors for endometrial hyperplasia, obesity is the most preventable, but there is a paucity of data addressing the association. We tested the hypothesis that patients with endometrial hyperplasia have a higher body mass index (BMI) than patients with abnormal bleeding who are found to have proliferative endometrium.

Endometrial expression of relaxin and relaxin receptor in endometriosis.

Our studies demonstrate significantly lower expression of relaxin and its receptor in ectopic endometriotic tissues than their expression in eutopic endometrium and in endometrium from normal controls. These data suggest that in normal and eutopic endometrium, relaxin may exert a protective effect against endometriosis.

Circulating relaxin and cervical length in midpregnancy are independently associated with spontaneous preterm birth.

Objective: We sought to examine associations among serum relaxin levels, cervical length, and spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB).

Study Design: We conducted a case-control study within a cohort of 1080 singleton pregnant women. In all, 38 women (3.

Expression of LGR7 in the primate corpus luteum implicates the corpus luteum as a relaxin target organ.

In women, the corpus luteum is the source of circulating relaxin. No previous studies have addressed whether the corpus luteum is also a relaxin target organ. We determined relaxin receptor LGR7 mRNA expression in human term pregnancy corpora lutea and nonhuman primate corpora lutea obtained during the menstrual cycle.

Relaxin in endometriosis.

Endometriosis is an important contributing factor to chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have each been implicated in the establishment of endometriotic lesions. Since relaxin regulates the expression of MMPs and VEGF in the endometrium, we tested the hypothesis that relaxin plays a role in endometriosis by comparing the expression of relaxin mRNA and its LGR7 (RXFP1) receptor mRNA in normal human endometrium to those in samples from patients with endometriosis.

Relaxin in human pregnancy.

Relaxin has beneficial effects upon the endometrium which are responsible for establishment of pregnancy. We have demonstrated that relaxin stimulates endometrial decidualization, the structural and biochemical changes in endometrial parenchymal cells, and the accompanying angiogenesis, modulation of matrix metalloproteinase activity, and increased concentrations in local immune cells which are required for implantation. Our recent data also demonstrate that either too much or too little relaxin can be detrimental.

Relaxin receptor LGR7 (RXFP1) is regulated by estrogen.

Estrogen regulates LGR7 (RXFP1) mRNA expression in an in vitro model of human term pregnancy cervix that utilizes lower uterine segment fibroblasts. LGR7 mRNA levels were increased by estradiol to mean levels of 152%+/- 5.9% above those in untreated control cells.

Inflammation in reproductive disorders.

Inflammatory disorders account for a significant percentage of gynecologic disease, particularly in reproductive age women. Inflammation is a basic method by which we respond to infection, irritation, or injury. Inflammation is now recognized as a type of nonspecific immune response, either acute or chronic.

Longitudinal changes in hypothalamic and ovarian function in perimenopausal women with anovulatory cycles: relationship with vasomotor symptoms.

Objective: To determine whether the transition to menopausal status is unidirectional and predictable with aging.

Design: Longitudinal evaluation of the menstrual cycle hormone patterns and experience of vasomotor symptoms in an anovulatory, perimenopausal cohort, during cycles that occurred 1 and 2 years after an anovulatory cycle.

Setting: Academic center.

Transmission of relaxin and estrogens to suckling canine pups via milk and possible association with hip joint laxity.

Objective: To determine whether abnormal laxity of hip joints of canine pups with genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia (HD+) is related to ingestion of milk-borne hormones.

Animals: 7 female Labrador Retrievers with HD+ and 8 with low predisposition to hip dysplasia (HD-) and their offspring.

Procedures: Immunoactive relaxin, estrogen, and estrogen precursor concentrations in milk of HD+ lactating bitches and in serum of their pups were compared with those of HD- bitches and pups.

Characteristics of the urinary luteinizing hormone surge in young ovulatory women.

Objective: To define characteristics of the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in urine.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Academic center.

Protein kinase A-independent cAMP stimulation of progesterone in a luteal cell model is tyrosine kinase dependent but phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase independent.

Comprehensive understanding of the cellular mechanisms utilized by luteal cells in response to extracellular hormonal signals resulting in the normal synthesis and secretion of their steroid and peptide products has yet to be achieved. Previous studies have established that cAMP functions as a second messenger in mediating gonadotropin stimulated luteal progesterone secretion. Classically, increased intracellular concentrations of cAMP result in activation of protein kinase A (PKA), which in turn phosphorylates gene regulatory transcription factors.

Mechanisms of relaxin-mediated premature birth.

In women, circulating relaxin is produced by the corpus luteum of pregnancy. The levels of relaxin are predominantly determined by the luteal mass, the number of corpora lutea present. Relaxin levels are highest after ovulation induction, which stimulates formation of many corpora lutea.