Abstract:

[Abstract] Objective  To clarify the effects of estrogen (E2) on the proliferation ability of in vitro cultured human normal and ectopic endometrial cells and the expressions of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) in these cells. Methods  The in vitro cultured human endometriosis cells and eutopic endometrium cells were both classified into E2 short-term group (with culture fluid stimulated by E2 50 nmol/L for 30 minutes)，E2 long-term group (with culture fluid stimulated by E2 50 nmol/L for 5 days) and control group (with culture fluid only). The MTT method was applied to detect the proliferation ability of endometrial cells, while the expressions of EGF mRNA and EGFR mRNA in these cells was analyzed by PCR techniques. Results  With long-term and short-term stimulation of estrogen, the proliferation ability of eutopic endometrium cells and endometriosis cells and the expression of EGF mRNA and EGFR mRNA were all enhanced compared with those of control (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in all the three parameters between E2 short-term and E2 long-term groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion  Estrogen can promote the proliferation and differentiation of ectopic endometrial cells and eutopic endometrial cells during their secretary phase. And there was no difference between long-term and short-term stimulation of estrogen.

Key words: Eutopic endometrium cells, Endometriosis cells, Estrogen, EGF, EGFR, RT-PCR