Inhibin and activin subunits are differentially expressed in endometrial cells and leukocytes during the menstrual cycle, in early pregnancy and in women using progestin-only contraception

Abstract

Inhibins and activins are dimeric hormones which share common subunits and which have diverse endocrine and paracrine roles in regulating reproductive function. Endometrial expression of inhibin α, βA and αB subunits was examined by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization, across the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy. All three subunits were found to be expressed in endometrium, primarily by glandular epithelium in the early stages of the cycle. Following the onset of decidualization, expression of α, βA and βB subunits was up-regulated in decidualized stromal cells. A marked down-regulation of α subunit was detected in glandular epithelium, whilst expression of βA and βB subunit..