Immunohistochemical examination of MECA-79, α4β1 integrin and MUC-2 expressions in the secretary phase endometrium of women diagnosed with recurrent implantation failure

The success of implantation depends on the mutually harmonious interaction of the endometrium and blastocyst. Recurrent implantation failure (TIB) is defined as the clinical inability to achieve pregnancy after fresh or frozen high-quality embryo transfer in at least three in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles in women under 40 years of age. Studies conducted in recent years mention impaired mutual communication of blastocyst and maternal tissue among the causes of TIB. Failure to achieve pregnancy despite good quality embryo transfer in IVF treatment in women with a history of TIB highlights endometrial factors. During this period, called the implantation window and known as the time period in which the blastocyst is accepted, there are some molecules in the endometrium that are thought to be effective in implantation. Although there are many studies on comparing the presence and density of these molecules, no comparative study has been found investigating important molecules such as α4β1 integrin, MUC-2 and MECA-79. The aim of this study is to evaluate the adhesion molecules that we think play a role in implantation, immunohistochemically and histologically, in the control group and patients with TIB. For this reason, 21 patients diagnosed with TIB and 21 patients with a previous pregnancy history who came to Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine Balcalı Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Polyclinic were diagnosed as menstrual cycle 19-21. Endometrial biopsy samples were taken between days. While the biopsy materials were analyzed immunohistochemically for α4β1 integrin, MUC-2 and MECA-79 markers, all samples were examined ultrastructurally. Structurally, although histological differences were observed in the surface and gland epithelium in some samples in the TIB group, it was noteworthy that MUC-2 was significantly higher in the immunohistochemical samples of patients diagnosed with TIB compared to the control group.