Ulipristal acetate administration at mid-cycle changes gene expression profiling of endometrial biopsies taken during the receptive period of the human menstrual cycle

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2017 May 15:447:1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.02.024. Epub 2017 Feb 20.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of mid-cycle administration of Ulipristal acetate (UPA) on gene expression in endometrial biopsies taken during the receptive phase of the cycle. Fourteen healthy menstruating women were studied during 14 control non-treated and 12 treated cycles with a single dose of 30 mg UPA when follicle diameter reached 20 mm. Ovulation in both treated and control cycles was confirmed by serial determinations of serum LH, progesterone and vaginal ultrasound. An endometrial biopsy at day LH+7, in each cycle, was taken for RNA microarray and qPCR analysis or prepared for histological and immunohistochemistry studies. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes showed the presence of changes compatible with a non-receptive endometrial phenotype, further confirmed by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. This study suggests the effects of UPA on endometrial receptivity, offering a plausible explanation for the higher contraceptive efficacy of this method compared to that of levonorgestrel.

Keywords: Contraception; Endometrium; Gene expression; Ulipristal acetate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cluster Analysis
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Endometrium / drug effects
  • Endometrium / metabolism*
  • Endometrium / pathology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Ontology
  • Humans
  • Menstrual Cycle / drug effects
  • Menstrual Cycle / genetics*
  • Norpregnadienes / administration & dosage*
  • Norpregnadienes / pharmacology*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • Norpregnadienes
  • ulipristal acetate