ABSTRACT

The goal of this study was to detect endometrial leptin expression in proliferative and secretory phases and then to compare the results with that of hyperplastic endometrium.

Seventeen proliferative, 23 secretory phase and 18 hyperplastic endometrial tissues diagnosed in our hospital between 2002 and 2007 were included in the study. These samples were stained with leptin antibody using an immunohistochemical method. Endometrial glandular and surface epithelium and stroma were evaluated for staining distribution and intensity.

Staining intensity seen in early proliferative phase samples (2.33±0.51) increased significantly throughout the middle (2.40±0.54) and late phases (2.83±0.40) (p<0.05). Early secretory phase samples had the least staining intensity (1.42±0.53), while it increased significantly in later periods (2.38±0.51) (p<0.05). There was no difference in staining intensity among proliferative, secretory and hyperplastic tissues (p>0.05).

Although endometrial leptin expression was observed in a differential manner throughout the whole menstrual period, no difference was seen in endometrial hyperplasia. We consider that leptin does not play a role in hyperplastic transformation of the endometrium.

Keywords: Endometrium, hyperplasia, leptin, menstrual period, phase