Differential expression of L-selectin ligand in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of L-selectin ligand in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle.

DESIGN: Retrospective study.

SETTING: University teaching hospital.

PATIENT(S): Endometrial samples from regularly cycling women.

INTERVENTION(S): Tissue microarray and immunohistochemical staining were performed using L-selectin ligand monoclonal antibody (MECA-79).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of L-selectin ligand in the various phases of menstrual cycle was measured by a semiquantitative analysis (HSCORE) for the intensity of immunohistochemical reactivity.

RESULT(S): In the luminal epithelium, there were significant differences in L-selectin ligand expression during the proliferative, interval, early secretory, and midsecretory phases. The expression of L-selectin ligand was greatest from the periovulatory interval through midsecretory phase. In the glandular epithelium, the expression of L-selectin ligand was greatest in midsecretory phase with significant differences between proliferative phase and the midsecretory phase and between the interval phase and the midsecretory phase.

CONCLUSION(S): Increased expression of L-selectin ligand in the human endometrium during the early and midsecretory phases of the menstrual cycle may be related to the process of implantation.