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Human Reproduction, Vol. 17, No. 10, 2725-2736, October 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Endometriosis results from the dislocation of basal endometrium

G. Leyendecker1,3, M. Herbertz1, G. Kunz1 and G. Mall2

1 Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and 2 Pathology, Klinikum Darmstadt, Academic Teaching Hospital to the Universities of Frankfurt and Heidelberg, Grafenstrasse 9, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany

BACKGROUND: The hypothesis is tested that both adenomyotic and endometriotic lesions are derived from basal endometrium. METHODS: Normal uteri and uteri with adenomyosis obtained by hysterectomy, excised endometriotic lesions and menstrual blood of women with and without endometriosis were used. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), progesterone receptor B isoform (PRB) and P450 aromatase (P450A) immunohistochemistry was performed with the use of specific monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: With respect to the parameters studied there was a fundamental difference between the cyclical patterns of the basalis and the functionalis of the eutopic endometrium. The endometrium of endometriotic and adenomyotic lesions mimicked the cyclical pattern of the basalis. The peristromal muscular tissue of endometriotic and adenomyotic lesions displayed the same cyclical pattern of ER and PR expression as the archimyometrium. There was a significantly higher prevalence of fragments of shed basalis in menstrual blood of women with endometriosis than in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that ectopic endometrial lesions result from dislocation of basal endometrium. Dislocated basal endometrium has stem cell character resulting in the ectopic formation of all archimetrial components such as epithelial and stromal endometrium as well as peristromal muscular tissue.

Key words: adenomyosis/basal endometrium/endometriosis/stem cell potential/uterine hyperperistalsis

3 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: gerhard.leyendecker{at}t-online.de


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