ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the expression of insulin like growth factor Ⅱ(IGF Ⅱ) and its type Ⅰ receptor (IGF ⅠR) and type Ⅱ receptor (IGF ⅡR) in the endometrium of women with unexplained infertility and their relation to steroid levels Methods In situ hybridization method was utilized to detect the location of IGF Ⅱ, IGF ⅠR and IGF ⅡR mRNA Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) method was employed to detect quantitatively IGF Ⅱ, IGF ⅠR , and IGF ⅡR mRNA expression levels in the endometrium during mid luteal phase Serum concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassay Thirty eight patients with unexplained infertility were included as study group, and 20 patients with men factor infertility or normal volunteer women were selected as control group Results IGF Ⅱand IGF ⅡR mRNA were diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm of stromal cells and IGF ⅠR mRNA was observed in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells Endometrial IGF Ⅱ,IGF ⅠR and IGF ⅡR mRNA expression during mid luteal phase in study group were significantly lower than those in the control group respectively (0 71 ?0 34 vs 0 96?0 34, P