[The effect of the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 protein on the window phase of endometrial implantation in unexplained infertillie women]

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 ( TIMP-1) protein on embryo implantation in unexplained infertile women. METHODS: Forty three women were divided into two groups: 29 unexplained infertile (study group) and 14 women with normal fertile function (control group).Immunohistochemical analysis was applied to measure the cell expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the endometrial implantation window phase of the two groups. RESULTS: The cells positive for these solu-ble proteinases were found in the epithelial and stromal cells in all endometrial samples. Semi-quantitative analysis showed that,MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were weaker in the endometrial glandular cells of infertile women then in those of the control group(MMP-9:230.79+/-43.92 compared with 307.78+/-44.25; TIMP-1:233.05+/-48.51 compared with 297.86+/-35.56,P<0.05). There was no statistical correlation between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 with blood estradiol(E(2)) and progesterone (P) in the two groups (P>0.05). But in control group, there was a negative correlation tendency in MMP-9/P and TIMP-1/P (MMP-9/P: r=-0.330,TIMP-1/P: r=-0.401). CONCLUSION: In unexplained inferrile women, the low expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 protein in the implantation window phase may be one of the important factors that affect the embryo impantation.