The effect of endometrial polyp and myoma uteri on fertility-related genes in the endometrium

The Effect of Endometrial Polyp and Myoma Uteri on Fertility-Related Genes in the Endometrium Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the expression levels of infertility related genes (HOXA10 and prokineticin gene family) in endometrial tissue taken from patients with endometrial polyp and myoma uteri and from healthy controls. Material and Method: A total of 36 patients, including 15 women with endometrial polyp and 21 women with myoma uteri, and 23 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All patients were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasonography. Endometrial tissue samples were taken from the patient and control groups between the 19th and 21st days of the menstrual cycle. Expression levels of the receptivity markers PROK1, PROKR1, PROK2, PROKR2 and HOXA10 genes were determined by RT- PCR. Results: When the patients diagnosed with endometrial polyp and the healty controls were compared, it was observed statistically significantly that the expression of PROKR1 increased in endometrium tissue of patients with endometrial polyp. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of expression levels of other genes studied. In patients diagnosed with myoma uteri, gene expression levels of endometrial PROKR1 was statistically significant increased and gene expression levels of PROK1, PROKR2, HOXA10 were found to be statistically significantly decreased compared to the controls. No difference was determined between the two groups in terms of PROK2 gene expression levels. Conclusions: Changes in the endometrial expression of the HOXA10 and prokineticin gene family in patients with myoma uteri and endometrial polyps may explain some aspects of infertility in these patients. Keywords: Myoma uteri, endometrial polyp, infertility, gene expression, HOXA-10, prokineticin 1, prokineticin 2, prokineticin receptor 1, prokineticin receptor 2.