Turner's syndrome patients lack tight junctions between uterine epithelial cells

Eleven endometrial biopsies, taken from six Turner's syndrome patients receiving hormone replacement therapy prior to treatment by oocyte donation and embryo transfer, were assessed by freeze fracture followed by electron microscopy for epithelial tight junctions. Nine of the eleven biopsies ha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inHuman reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 7; no. 6; p. 883
Main Authors Rogers, P A, Murphy, C R, Leeton, J, Hoise, M J, Beaton, L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.07.1992
Subjects
Adult
Embryo Transfer
Epithelium - ultrastructure
Female
Freeze Fracturing
Humans
Intercellular Junctions - ultrastructure
Microscopy, Electron
Turner Syndrome - pathology
Uterus - ultrastructure
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Summary:Eleven endometrial biopsies, taken from six Turner's syndrome patients receiving hormone replacement therapy prior to treatment by oocyte donation and embryo transfer, were assessed by freeze fracture followed by electron microscopy for epithelial tight junctions. Nine of the eleven biopsies had no discernible tight junctions; the other two biopsies had reduced and disorganized junctional structures. Two patients subsequently became pregnant following embryo transfer. It is concluded that compromised epithelial integrity does not prevent embryo implantation in the human, an observation that is consistent with a barrier role for the epithelium except at times when appropriately conditioned with oestrogen and progesterone to induce receptivity for implantation.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137754