Biochemical and immunohistochemical multiparametric analysis of steroid receptors and growth factor receptors in human normal endometrium in spontaneous cycles and after the induction of ovulation

: This study was carried out with three aims: to assess the variations of receptors for beta-oestradiol and progesterone, and for epidermal growth factor (EGF), alpha-fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and beta-FGF, during a spontaneous cycle in normo-ovulatory patients, 2 days before, and 2 and 7 days after the day of ovulation; to compare the control group of patients with those given ovulation induction using a multiparametric approach; and to study the role of luteal supplementation with progesterone in two groups of patients treated by a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist plus human menopausal gonadotrophin. The results were assessed by biochemical analyses and by immunohistochemistry. In spontaneous cycles, a decrease in steroid receptors occurred during the luteal phase. There was an increase in EGF and EGF receptors which was induced by oestradiol secretion, and an increase during the luteal phase of alpha-FGF and beta-FGF, which are considered to be angiogenic factors. Comparisons between spontaneous and induced cycles showed a few variations in the endometrium but no differences were related to the type of ovulation induction.