The Expression Features of Survivin in Endometriosis

Objective To find out the expression of survivin, a member in the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, in both ectopic and eutopic endometrium from women with different stages of endometriosis. Methods A total of 38 patients with untreated endometriosis who were admitted to the gynecology department from Dec, 2002 to Sep, 2004 were enrolled in this study. 40 samples of ectopic endometrium were collected and detected for survivin expression, using immunohistochemical technique. Results Survivin expression could be observed in both ectopic and eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis and was lack of periodicity (P0.05). Compared with eutopic endometrium, survivin expression in ectopic lesion has a larger quantity (P0.05). Conclusion Both eutopic and ectopic endometium of endometriosis patients express survivin but the expression was lack of periodicity during the menstrual cycle.