ORIGINAL ARTICLE Reproductive endocrinology Expression of melanocortin receptors in human endometrium

study question: Are melanocortin receptors (MCR1-5) expressed in the endometrium? summaryanswer: MCR1-5 are expressed in endometrium to varying degrees, with MC2R, MC3R and MC5R being the most abundant and the majority of expression being observed in glandular epithelium. what is known already:Women with Addison’s disease who were being administered synthetic ACTH reported menstrual com-plications as a side effect. There is no previous literature on expression of the melanocortin receptors within the endometrium, and therefore whether ACTH may directly affect the endometrial vasculature. studydesign, size, duration: Endometrial biopsieswere taken fromhysterectomyspecimens in controlwomenwithout endomet-rial pathology (n 4 for each of proliferative and late-secretory phases). Biopsies were formalin fixed and embedded in paraffin wax. Decidual samples (n 7)werecultured ina rangeof concentrationsof syntheticACTHfor3daysbeforebeing formalin fixedandembedded inparaffinwax. participants/materials, setting, methods: Endometrial paraffin embedded sections were immunostained for MCR1-5 and assessed using a modified quickscore with luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium, stromal cells, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells all being assessed separately. Cultured decidual biopsy paraffin embedded sections were immunostained for H-caldesmon and the number of layers of vascular smooth muscle cells surrounding the vessel assessed. mainresultsandtheroleofchance:All fivemelanocortin receptorswere showntobe immunolocalised to theendometrium, withMC5R,MC2R andMC3R being themost abundant and limited immunostaining being observed forMC1R andMC4R. Treatment of decidua