Androgen receptor and 5α‐reductase are expressed in pelvic endometriosis

• Published in: BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Vol. 115; no. 1; pp. 113 - 117
• Main Authors: Carneiro, MM, Morsch, DM, Camargos, AF, Reis, FM, Spritzer, PM
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-01-2008; Blackwell
• Subjects: 5α‐reductase; androgen receptor; androgens; Biological and medical sciences; endometriosis; Female genital diseases; gene expression; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Pelvic cavity; Enzyme; Gynecology; Androgen receptor; Uterine diseases; Endometriosis; Oxidoreductases; Obstetrics; Female genital diseases; 3-Oxo-5α-steroid 4-dehydrogenase; Hormonal receptor
• ISSN: 1470-0328; 1471-0528
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01521.x

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether androgen receptor (AR) and the enzymes that convert testosterone into the more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone, 5α‐reductases (5α‐R1 and 5α‐R2) are expressed in pelvic endometriosis. The study involved 21 infertile women who underwent laparoscopy and were divided into two groups: control (n= 13) and endometriosis (n= 8) according to the histological and laparoscopic findings. Endometrial and endometriotic implant biopsies were performed. By reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, AR, 5α‐R1 and 5α‐R2 messenger RNA and protein were detected in biopsies of pelvic endometriosis, as well as in the eutopic endometrium of both groups. These findings suggest that active androgens may be formed within the endometriotic tissue and that both local and systemic androgens have the potential to act on endometriotic cells.