Expression of alpha 1 and beta 3 integrins subunits in the endometrium of patients with tubal phimosis or hydrosalpinx

ObjectiveTo determine the expression of α1 and β3 integrin subunit on the endometrium of infertile patients with hydrosalpinx and infertile patients with tubal phimosis.DesignCase–control study.SettingTertiary medical center.Patient(s)Infertile patients with radiologic or laparoscopic diagnosis of hydrosalpinx (n = 11) or tubal phimosis (n = 12) as the only cause of infertility, and fertile controls (n = 17).Intervention(s)Immunohistochemical analysis of α1 and β3 integrin subunits was performed on endometrial biopsies obtained during the implantation window.Main Outcome Measure(s)Histologic score (HSCORE) on luminal and glandular endometrium of the patients with hydrosalpinx or tubal phimosis and the normal fertile controls.Result(s)The median (±SEM) HSCORE for β3 subunit expression in endometrial glands was 0.39 ± 0.23 and 0.42 ± 0.18 for tubal phimosis and hydrosalpinx, respectively, and 1.74 ± 0.26 for fertile controls. The median HSCORE for β3 subunit expression in luminal epithelium for tubal phimosis, hydrosalpinx, and fertile controls was 0.07 ± 0.06, 0.21 ± 0.18, and 1.03 ± 0.31, respectively. No statistical difference was observed on the expression of α1 integrin subunit expression between the three groups.Conclusion(s)The endometrial expression of β3 integrin subunit is reduced in the presence of tubal phimosis or hydrosalpinx, during the window of implantation.