Apoptosis expression in rats' endometrium after surgical induction of endometriosis

OBJECTIVES: Endometriosis is characterised as a presence of proliferating endometrial fragments growing outside uterus. Despite many investigations we still do not understand why in some women sheded endometrium implants itself into peritoneum and grows, and in the others does not. It is possible that apoptotic status of endometrial fragments implanted into peritoneum is responsible for endometriosis growth as well as the treatment results. Cellular apoptosis is characterised morphologically by cell shrinkage, nuclear pyknosis, chromatin condensation, and blebbing of the plasma membrane. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on 28 mature Wistar rats. We studied endometria of rats after induction of endometriosis in peritoneal cavity. RESULTS: The only difference was found in endometrial glands. In animals with successful endometriosis implantation apoptosis indices in endometrial glands obtained during second laparotomy were lower than in the endometriosis free animals (p < 0.05).