Tissue integrity is essential for ectopic implantation of human endometrium in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane

Annemiek W Nap, Nap AW, Annemiek Nap, Patrick G. Groothuis, Groothuis PG, Ayşe Y. Demir, Ayse Y Demir, Demir AY, Jacques W M Maas, Maas JW, G.A.J. Dunselman, Dunselman GA, Gerard A J Dunselman, A.F.P.M. de Goeij, de Goeij AF, Anton F P M de Goeij, J.L.H. Evers, Johannes L. H. Evers
Human Reproduction · 2003 · vol. 18(1) , pp. 30–34 · doi:10.1093/humrep/deg033 · PMID:12525437 · W2169469417
article OA: bronze CC0 ⤵ 44 in-corpus citations
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Transplanting intact endometrial fragments, but not dispersed cells, onto the chicken chorioallantoic membrane successfully created endometriosis-like lesions.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Not all women with patent tubes develop clinically manifest endometriosis. Quality and quantity of endometrium in retrograde menstruation may be the determining factor in the development of the disease. We hypothesize that retrograde shedding of endometrial fragments with preserved integrity facilitates implantation of endometrium in ectopic locations, resulting in endometriotic lesion development. We evaluate the impact of tissue integrity on the success of endometriosis-like lesion development in the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. METHODS: Menstrual and non-menstrual (cyclic) endometrium were collected by biopsy, and either minced or enzymatically dispersed. Spontaneously shed menstrual effluent was collected by a menstrual cup, and cells and tissue were isolated. We evaluated whether infiltration or lesion formation in the CAM occurred after transplantation of endometrium onto the CAM. RESULTS: Transplantation of biopsied menstrual and cyclic endometrium fragments, and of endometrium fragments >1 mm(3) isolated from menstrual effluent, resulted in lesion formation. Transplantation of endometrial cells isolated from menstrual effluent did not lead to lesion formation. After transplantation of digested biopsied cyclic endometrium, infiltration in the CAM but no lesions were observed. CONCLUSION: In the CAM assay, integrity of tissue architecture determines success of implantation of human endometrium in ectopic locations.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Allantois Chorion Endometriosis Endometrium Transplantation, Heterologous Transplantation, Heterotopic Allantois Animals Cell Division Chick Embryo Chorion Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Female Humans Menstruation Menstruation

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