The abnormal expression of oxytocin receptors in the uterine junctional zone in women with endometriosis

Abstract

BackgroundThe junctional zone (JZ), also called as the endometrial-myometrial junction, is related to peristaltic-like movements in the non-pregnant uterus. Hyperperistalsis and dysperistalsis of uterus constructions might underlie many important disorders such as dysmenorrhea, infertility, endometriosis, implantation failure. The major proteins for uterine contraction of the non-pregnant uterus may be Oxytocin (OT) and oxytocin receptor (OTR). The objective of this study was to inspect the expression of OTR in isthmic and mid-fundal parts of the uterine junctional zone at different stages of the follicular cycle in patients with and without endometriosis.MethodsUterine biopsies containing endometrium and junctional zone were collected from the isthmic and mid-fundal parts of the anterior wall after hysterectomy. The OTR expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.ResultsIn the control uterus, OTR expression in the isthmic region was significantly higher than in the fundal region in the proliferative phase (p < 0.05) but significantly lower in the secretory phase (p < 0.05). And the expression of OTR in the proliferative phase was significantly higher than that in the secretory phase in both isthmic and fundal regions (p = 0.000 and 0.049, respectively). However, in endometriosis uteri, OTR expression in the isthmic region showed no significant difference with that in the fundal region in both proliferative and secretory phases (p = 0.597 and 0.736, respectively). In both isthmic and fundal regions, OTR expression was not significantly different between the proliferative phase and secretory phase (p = 0.084 and 0.222, respectively). OTR expression in fundal regions of revised ASRM I and II endometriosis were lower than that of revised ASRM III and IV (p = 0.049). In the fundal region of JZ, the expression of OTR in ovarian endometriosis was significantly lower than that in deep infiltrating endometriosis (p = 0.046). The expression level of OTR in the funds region is positively associated with the severity of dysmenorrhea in endometriosis group (r = 0.870, p < 0.05). Comparing to normal uteri, the expression of OTR in the secretory phase was significantly higher in the endometriosis uteri (p < 0.05). In the fundus of endometriosis uteri, OTR expression was significantly higher in both the proliferative and secretory phases (p = 0.045 and 0.028, respectively).ConclusionOTR expression in the JZ of women with endometriosis changes significantly, which may result in abnormal uterine contractile activity, reducing the endometriosis-related fertility and dysmenorrhea.

Seasonal Expression of Oxytocin and Oxytocin Receptor in the Scented Gland of Male Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

“…Briefly, serial sections were incubated with 10% normal goat serum to reduce background staining and then incubated with primary rabbit polyclonal antibodies (Bioss Antibodies, Beijing, China, 1:200 dilutions) against OTR (bs-1314R) 40 , 41 , OT (bs-17582R), ERK1/2 (bs-2637R), phospho-ERK1/2 (S202 + Y204, bs-3016R), or c-fos (bs-10172R) for 12 h under 4 °C. The sections were then incubated with a secondary antibody, goat anti-rabbit lgG conjugated with biotin and peroxidase with avidin, using rabbit ExtrAvidin TM Peroxidase staining kit (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO, USA) was performed, followed by visualizing with 20 mg 3, 3-diaminobenzidine (Wako, Tokyo, Japan) solution in 100 ml of 0.05 M Tris–HCl buffer, pH 7.6, plus 20 μl H 2 O 2 .…”

The role of oxytocin in the pathogenesis of endometriosis: various aspects of the problem

“…Во время менструации частота, амплитуда и процент ретроградных маточных сокращений у женщин с эндометрио зом были значительно выше, чем у женщин без эндометриоза [33]. В одной из работ была оценена экспрессия OXTR в JZ-перешейке и дне матки в зависимости от фазы менструального цикла у женщин с эндометриозом и без этого заболевания [34]. Установлено, что амплитуда маточных сокращений и уровень экспрессии OXTR в клетках гладкой мускулатуры миометрия были значительно выше у пациенток с аденомиозом, чем в группе контроля.…”

“…Глубокий инфильтративный эндометриоз (Die) рассматривается как особая клиническая форма эндометриоза, часто проявляющаяся выраженным болевым синдромом. Установлено, что экспрессия OXTR в JZ-области дна матки при Die была выше, чем у пациентов с эндометриозом яичников (OeM) [34], что может объяснить стойкий болевой синдром. Изменение экспрессии OXTR в структуре мио метрия при аденомиозе также поддерживает гипотезу, что нарушение перистальтики играет существенную роль в развитии эндометриоза и дисменореи [1].…”

Endometriosis and in vitro fertilisation (Review)

“…In addition, IVF has provided results in retrospective cohort studies independently of the main infertility factor, thus indicating promising results in endometriosis management (as it is revealed that endometriosis does not affect IVF outcome). Indeed, IVF has been described to be irrelevant to the state of endometriosis, or even additional infertility factors ( 87 , 88 ). Moreover, IVF potential has been described to be as effective as in women with any other cause of infertility ( 89 ).…”