Nerve Fibres Distribution in Eutopic Endometrium of Women with Endometriosis

Objective:Nerve fibres distribution in the functional layer of endometrium of women with endometriosis was investigated.Methods:Histological sections of endometrial tissue were prepared from endometrial curettings and hysterectomies performed on women with endometriosis (n=25) and without endometriosis (n=40).Immunohistochemistry was used to detect nerve fibres by highly specific polyclonal rabbit antibody PGP 9.5.The assessment of nerve fibre density was performed by Image Pro Plus Discovery.Results:Nerve fibres were identified throughout the functional layers of the endometrium in all endometriosis patients,but not found in the functional layer of the endometrium in women without endometriosis(P 0.01).Conclusions:Nerve fibres detected in the functional layer in all women with endometriosis may have important implications for understanding the generation of pain in these patients.