Expression of integrin β3 and osteopontin in the eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis during the implantation window

Objective: To investigate the expression of integrin beta 3 and osteopontin (OPN) in the eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis and to characterize possible endometrial defects in adenomyosis. Study design: Twenty-eight adenomyosis patients and 27 control fertile women were involved in this study. Endometrial samples were collected during the implantation window. Integrin beta 3 subunits and OPN in the adenomyosis and control endometria were assessed by immunohistochemical staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A one-tailed t-test and a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test were used to test significance. Results: The mRNA and immunostaining intensity of integrin beta 3 and OPN were significantly lower in the adenomyosis patients than in the controls. Conclusions: Abnormal expression of integrin beta 3 and OPN in the endometrium of adenomyosis may contribute to infertility in some patients. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.