Expression of GnRH receptor in human eutopic and ectopic endometrium and its clinical significance

In human body, physiological functions of GnRH(gonadotropin-releasing hormone)is mediated by GnRH receptor(GnRHR). GnRH binds to its receptor in high specificity. GnRHR distributes not only in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis but also in several extrapituitary organs, such as placenta, gonads and mammary glands. Recent studies showed that GnRHR is also expressed in surface of human ectopic endometrial cells in endometriosis, and inferred that mediated by its receptor, GnRH may act into the target celles to exert a direct modulating effect on implantation and growth of ectopic endometrial cells in paracrine/autocrine way. Studies on expression of GnRHR in eutopic and ectopic endometrium will contribute to learn the role of GnRHR in occurrence of endometriosis so as to use GnRH analogues to treat the disease.