II. Aging of the human endometrium: peri-implantation phase endometrium does not show any age-dependent variation in lectin binding

Objective: To evaluate if the peri-implantation endometrium shows age variations in lectin patterns, which suggest possible age variations in embryo-maternal recognition. Study design: Peri-implantation endometria of younger (< 30 years of age: n = 13) and older (> 40 years of age: n = 17) normally menstruating women was studied. Endometrial spocimens were routinely fixed in buffered formaline and embedded in paraffin. Sections (5 μm) were studied using seven lectins: DBA (Dolicus biflorus, binding specificity α-D-GalNAc), PNA (Arachis hypogea, binding specificity D-Gal (βl → 3)-D-GalNAc), SBA (Glycine max binding specificity α/β-D-GalNAc > D-Gal), WGA (Triticum vulgare binding specificity (α-D-GlcNAc)(n) and sialic acid), ConA (Canavalia ensiformis binding specificity α-D-Man > α-D-Glc), LTA (Lotus tetragonolobus binding specificity α-L-fucose) and UEA I (Ulex europaeus binding specificity α-L-fucose). Results: No significant differences were found in the glycoconjugates sugar residue content and distribution between the endometria of women < 30 years of age and those of women > 40. Conclusions: Our results suggest that human endometrium does not age, at least while cyclic hormonal stimulation and menstruation are present.