Microchimerism of Fetal Origin in Ovarian Tissues from Women with Pelvic Endometriosis.

Jang, Jin Beum; Lee, Sook Hwan; Lee, Byoung Seok; Kim, Jong Wook; Park, Sang Won; Lee, Chung No; Moon, Young Ki; Yoon, Tae Ki; Cha, Dong Hyun

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005;48(6):1506-1512.
Published online June 1, 2005.

Microchimerism of Fetal Origin in Ovarian Tissues from Women with Pelvic Endometriosis.

Jin Beum Jang, Sook Hwan Lee, Byoung Seok Lee, Jong Wook Kim, Sang Won Park, Chung No Lee, Young Ki Moon, Tae Ki Yoon, Dong Hyun Cha

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University, Seoul, Korea. chadh001@hanmail.net
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether fetal microchimeric cells were detected in ovarian tissues with pelvic endometriosis. METHODS: Ovarian tissues with endometriosis were obtained from five women who had at least one live-born son and who underwent enucleation of endometriotic cyst or oophorectomy after a diagnosis of endometriotic cyst. Control tissues were obtained from five women with endometriosis who had no pregnant history. Tissue sections were analyzed with fluorescence in situ hybridization for the presence of fetal cells, defined by X and Y chromosome. RESULTS: Fluorescence in situ hybridization using paraffin-embedded ovarian specimens was performed successfully. Male cells were found in ovarian tissues from all five patients. No male cells were found in ovarian tissues from all five controls. CONCLUSION: Fetal microchimeric cells, possibly from feto-maternal cell trafficking were detected in ovarian tissues with endometriosis were obtained from women who had prior male pregnancies. Further study is necessary to understand the role of persistent fetal microchimeric cells in the progression of endometriosis.

Key Words: Microchimerism, Endometriosis