Changes in cell proliferation, but not in vascularisation are characteristic for human endometrium in different reproductive failures - a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Reproductive failure, determined as recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) or recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in women is not well understood. Several factors, including embryo quality, and cellular and molecular changes in endometrium may contribute to the insufficient feto-maternal interaction resulting in reproductive failure. Prior clinical studies suggest an inadequate endometrial growth and development of the endometrium, leading to a lesser endometrial thickness. METHODS: We therefore aimed to determine the cellular proliferation using Ki67, and the expression of markers of vascularisation, such as factor VIII (a marker of endothelial cells) and smooth muscle cell actin (SMCA; a marker of pericytes and smooth muscle cells) in endometrium of healthy women and women with RSA or RIF. LH-dated mid-secretory endometrial biopsies of seven healthy women and twenty women with reproductive failure were examined via immunohistochemistry followed by image analysis. RESULTS: Cellular proliferation but not expression of factor VIII or SMCA was decreased (P < 0.0004) in endometrium of women with RSA and RIF compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: Our data indicate that reproductive failure is due to insufficient cell proliferation/tissue growth rather than inadequate vascularisation in the endometrium.