Progress in research on relationship between apoptosis of endometrial cells and endometriosis

Accumulating evidences suggest that endometrial cells of women with endometriosis are different from those of normal women. Endometrial cells of women with endometriosis have enhanced proliferation and increased ability to implant and survive in ectopic locations. Recent study indicated that impaired sensitivity of endometrial tissue to death signal and decreased spontaneous apoptosis may be two important factors and contribute to the abnormal implantation and growth of endometrium at ectopic sites, resulting in development of endometriosis. In this paper, we reviewed role of apoptosis in periodic changes of normal endometrium and its infinences on occurrence and development of endometriosis.