Contraception: Endometrial endotheial cell proliferation in long-term users of subdermal levonorgestrel

Abstract

The aim of the oresent study was to quantity endothelial cell proliferation (a component of angiogenesis) using immunohistochemistry, in the endometrium of users of subdermal levonorgestrel (Norplant®). It was postulated that the increased endometrial microvascular density seen in Norplant users, compared to normally cycling women, was associated with an increased rate of endothelial cell proliferation. The results, however, showed that the endometrial endothelial cell proliferative index of Norplant users (0.39±0.16% mean ±SEM) was significantly reduced compared to that seem in normally cycling women (8.99±1.64). At the same time, total numbers of endometrial endothelial cells permm2 in Nor..