Expressions of the vitamin D receptor protein and its mRNA in mucosa epithelium of human fallopian tubes

Aim:To investigate the expressions of vitamin D receptor(VDR) protein and its mRNA in mucosa epithelium of human fallopian tubes. Methods: Samples of fallopian tubes were obtained from 30 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy with adnexectomy for benign disease such as uterine leiomyoma,adenomyosis in the pelvic cavity.The isthmic,ampullary and fimbrial portions of fallopian tubes were respectively collected.These specimens were divided into 4 groups based on their endometrium histological staging: early-proliferative stage(n=6),mid-and late-proliferative stage(n=9),early-secretory stage(n=7),mid-and late-secretory stage(n=8).The expression of VDR in mucosa epithelium of human fallopian tubes was determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction methods.Results: VDR protein and expression of its mRNA were detected in mucosa epithelium of human fallopian tubes.VDR positive staining was mainly located in the nucleus of epithelial cells,observed in smooth muscle cells occasionally.There was no significant difference in VDR positive expression among the isthmic,ampullary and fimbrial portions during the same phase of menstrual cycle(P0.05).However,VDR positive expression in the different portions changed with the variation of menstrual cycle.It was in low level during both the early-proliferative and mid-and late-secretory stages,then increased in both the mid-and late-proliferative and early-secretory stages significantly(P0.01) and achieved the maximum during the early-secretory stage.The expression of VDR mRNA in ampullary portion of fallopian tubal epithelium was in low level during both the early-proliferative and mid-and late-secretory stages,then obviously increased in both the mid-and late-proliferative and early-secretory stages(P0.01).Conclusion:The expressions of VDR protein and its mRNA would exist in mucosa epithelium of human fallopian tubes.And the expressions would exhibit a cyclic change.During both the mid-and late-proliferative and early-secretory stages,the expressions of VDR protein and mRNA would increase significantly.