Open AccessImmunohistochemical analysis of distribution of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors in the postmenopausal endometrium
Author(s) -
Koshiyama Masafumi,
Yoshida Masumi,
Takemura Maki,
Yura Yasuichirou,
Matsushita Katsuko,
Hayashi Michiharu,
Tauchi Kunihiko,
Konishi Ikuo,
Mori Takahide
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349609065730
Subject(s) - medicine , endometrium , immunohistochemistry , receptor , estrogen , estrogen receptor , progesterone receptor , distribution (mathematics) , endocrinology , cancer , breast cancer , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Objective. To examine the expression of sex steroid receptors (ER: estrogen receptor; PR: progesterone receptor) in the postmenopausal endometrium (PMEM) and the relationship to clinical data for studying its characters. Methods. The immunohistochemical reactivity of the PMEM was studied using monoclonal antibodies against ER and PR, in 33 postmenopausal patients. Results. The endometrium was thicker in patients who were postmenopausal for 1 to 10 years (1.48±1.31mm) than in patients who were postmenopausal for more than 10 years (0.79 ± 0.37mm) ( p <0.05). Among the 33 postmenopausal endometrial samples, ER positivity was found in the glands in 26 cases (78.8%) and PR positivity was detected in 18 cases (54.5%). The average age of the patients with ER positive reactivity in the glands (61.69±7.26 years) was significantly lower than that of the patients with ER negative reactivity (66.00±3.56 years) ( p <0.05). Furthermore, the endometrial thickness of the patients with ER or PR positive reactivity in the glands (1.24± 1.09mm and 1.47±1.20mm, respectively) was significantly greater than that of the patients with ER or PR negative reactivity (0.67± 0.26mm and 0.70± 0.40mm, respectively) ( p <0.05). Conclusion. ER in the glands of the PMEM was determined to decrease gradually with increased aging. The presence of ER and PR in the gland cells seemed likely to determine the thickness of the PMEM.