Role of Mucin 1 and Glycodelin A in recurrent implantation failure

Objective: To evaluate and compare the levels of Mucin 1 (MUC-1) and Glycodelin A (GdA) in precisely timed endometrial biopsies and blood samples taken from women with recurrent implantation failure, and women with proven fertility, in a control group. Design: Molecular studies in human blood and tissue. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Women with recurrent implantation failure and women with proven fertility. Intervention(s): Primary endometrial cells and blood samples during the implantation window (between day 7 and day 9 after the surge in luteinizing hormone). Main Outcome Measure(s): Expression of MUC-1 and GdA in the human endometrium and in blood during the implantation window were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, MUC-1 and GdA levels in tissue were analyzed by western blot during the same period. Result(s): Both blood and tissue measurements of MUC-1 and GdA were significantly lower in women with recurrent implantation failure than in fertile women during the implantation window. In addition, we found a highly significant correlation between blood vs. tissue measurements of both MUC-1 and GdA. Conclusion(s): The present study reveals that blood and tissue levels of MUC-1 and GdA are much lower in women with RIF, compared with those in fertile women. Receptivity can be evaluated with noninvasive blood sampling, rather than more-invasive endometrium sampling, as the blood and tissue measurements of MUC-1 and GdA are correlated. (C) 2015 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.