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Ultrastructure of Ectopic Peritoneal Lesions From Women With Endometriosis, Including Observations on the Contribution of Coelomic Mesothelium

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Abstract

Following a study in a baboon model of endometriosis, we here describe the morphology of ectopic peritoneal lesions in the human to examine the effects of an ectopic site on glandular structure and function. Ectopic biopsies from 17 women with endometriosis were fixed and processed for electron microscopy. Certain biopsies were also probed for intermediate filaments using immunohistochemistry. Ultrastructurally, lesions showed many different glandular morphologies with indications of delayed maturation compared to normal endometrium. Mesothelium covered some lesions and there was evidence of mesothelial invasion into the stroma. Ectopic endometriotic lesions from women with endometriosis showed ultrastructural differences from eutopic endometrium, with indications that mesothelial invasion may contribute to gland development in some lesions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Clinical and Laboratory Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Manchester, St Mary’s Hospital, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0JH, Manchester, UK

    Carolyn J. P. Jones PhD & Luciano G. Nardo MD

  2. Department of Reproductive Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, UK

    Luciano G. Nardo MD

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    Pietro Litta MD

  4. Center for Women’s Health and Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Asgerally T. Fazleabas PhD

Authors
  1. Carolyn J. P. Jones PhD
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  2. Luciano G. Nardo MD
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  3. Pietro Litta MD
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  4. Asgerally T. Fazleabas PhD
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Correspondence to Carolyn J. P. Jones PhD.

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Jones, C.J.P., Nardo, L.G., Litta, P. et al. Ultrastructure of Ectopic Peritoneal Lesions From Women With Endometriosis, Including Observations on the Contribution of Coelomic Mesothelium. Reprod. Sci. 16, 43–55 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719108324891

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719108324891

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