LECTIN BINDING OF ENDOMETRIUM IN WOMEN WITH UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY

Objective: To investigate whether peri-implantation phase endometrium in women with unexplained infertility differs from the endometrium of normal fertile women. Design: Assessment of the function of the endometrium by using endometrial biopsy specimens and lectin histochemistry. Setting: Infertility Clinic, Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield, United Kingdom. Patients: Eighteen normal fertile women (group I) and 18 women with unexplained infertility (group II). Interventions: Endometrial biopsies were obtained from both groups at 5, 7, and 9 days after the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. Main Outcome Measures: Five biotinylated lectins, concanavalin A (ConA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), soybean agglutinin, Peanut, and Ulex europaeus I were used as analytical probes to study endometrial glycoconjugates. Histochemical staining was performed using the avidin-biotin peroxidase method. The lectin binding by endometrial glands, surface epithelium, stromal cells, and vessels was assessed. Results: In group I, ConA stained the subnuclear glandular cytoplasm, glandular lumen, stroma cells, and surface epithelium. In group II, ConA binding to glandular or surface epithelium was none or equivocal. In group I, WGA bound to glandular cytoplasm and stroma cells on days LH+5 and LH+7. In group II, WGA binding was absent in glands but present in stroma. Conclusions: Reproductive failure of women with unexplained infertility may be associated with defective biosynthesis and distribution of glycoconjugates that subsequently results in an unfavorable endometrial environment during the peri-implantation phase.