Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors in the endometrium of septate uterus

Objective: To compare the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (KDR, Flt-1, and sflt) in the different endometrial locations of septate uterus and normal uterus. Design: Prospective, observational study. Setting: University teaching hospital. Patient(s): Twelve women with complete septate uterus undergoing hysteroscopic metroplasty and 12 women with normal uterus. Intervention(s): Endometrial tissue samples were obtained from the endometrium covering the septum and the endometrium lining the lateral wall of the uterus. Moreover, endometrial samples were obtained from patients with normal uterus. Main Outcome Measure(s): Differences in the mRNA expression of VEGF receptors between the endometrial samples of septate and normal uterus. Result(s): The mRNA expression of VEGF receptors, both KDR and Flt-1, was significantly lower in the endometrium lining the septum as compared with the endometrium covering the lateral wall of septate and normal uterus. Conversely, no differences were observed in mRNA expression in the soluble receptor sflt between the different endometrial samples studied. Conclusion(s): The results suggest that a local defect of both VEGF transmembranous receptors (KDR and Flt-1) in the endometrium covering the septal area may be responsible for the clinical comportment of this mullerian anomaly. (Fertil Steril (R) 2009;92:1085-90. (C)2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)