Reguratory Mechanisms of Sex Steroid Receptor Expression in Human Endometria and Sterility

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1. To analyze gene expression in a small amount of samples, we developed a quantitative non-RI RT-PCR method using a CCD image sensor. With AmpliSensor, many samples could easily be handled. However, the method had a problem in determinimg the absolute amount, and was modified accordingly.2. From surgically removed human uterus, endometrial stromal cells and glandular cells were purified and cultured separately. In cultured stromal cells, the level of progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA was found to be increased by the presence of estrogen (E) and decreased by the presence of progesterone (P) or testosterone (T). The PR mRNA level increased during the culture period without any addition of sex steroids, indicating the presence of regulatory mechanisms not involving the steroids. The level of ER mRNA was down-regulated by P or T,while slightly up-regulated by E.The level of AR was regulated similarly to that of ER.In cultured glandular cells, P slightly increased the mRNA levels of PR,ER and AR.3. The numbers of patients whose eggs showed fertilization and cell division during IVF but not succeeded in implantation were too small, and further investigations are necessary to determine the responsiveness of their endometrial cells to sex steroids.