Observations on endometrial ultrastructure of infertile women with mild endometriosis

Objective To investigate the ultrastructure of peri impantation endometrium in infertile women with endometriosis. Methods Ten cases infertile women with mild endometriosis were taken as study group and 7 fertile women as control group. All specimens obtained by endometrial biopsy performed in the peri implantation phase (19～22th day of menstrual cycle) were examined with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Results Ultrastructural defects in peri implantation endometrium of infertile women with endometriosis were found, namely: a reduced number of glandular ostia, irregular non ciliated cells with rare microvilli, incomplete ciliogenesis on ciliated cells, reduced or non existent specific markers of the implantation window of the endometrium (pinopodes). Swelling and pyknosis in cytoplasm and karyopyknosis in some cells were found. Conclusion Existence of ultrastructural detects in peri implantation endometrium of women with endometriosis and cell degeneration may be a factor resulting in endometriosis associated infertility.