Role of Mucin 1 and Glycodelin A in recurrent implantation failure.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the levels of Mucin 1 (MUC-1) and Glycodelin A (GdA) in precisely timed endometrial biopsies and blood samples taken from women with recurrent implantation failure, and women with proven fertility, in a control group.

DESIGN

Molecular studies in human blood and tissue.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S): Women with recurrent implantation failure and women with proven fertility.

INTERVENTION(S): Primary endometrial cells and blood samples during the implantation "window" (between day 7 and day 9 after the surge in luteinizing hormone).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of MUC-1 and GdA in the human endometrium and in blood during the implantation window were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, MUC-1 and GdA levels in tissue were analyzed by western blot during the same period.

RESULT(S): Both blood and tissue measurements of MUC-1 and GdA were significantly lower in women with recurrent implantation failure than in fertile women during the implantation window. In addition, we found a highly significant correlation between blood vs. tissue measurements of both MUC-1 and GdA.

CONCLUSION(S): The present study reveals that blood and tissue levels of MUC-1 and GdA are much lower in women with RIF, compared with those in fertile women. Receptivity can be evaluated with noninvasive blood sampling, rather than more-invasive endometrium sampling, as the blood and tissue measurements of MUC-1 and GdA are correlated.