Abstract
Glycodelin (or placental protein 14) is a glycoprotein located in the glandular and thin epithelium of the endometrium. It is considered an important factor in the implantation process, and its traces can be found in elevated concentrations in the uterine flushing obtained at the time of implantation, while in the proliferative phase of the cycle, its levels are low. A certain concentration has been found to inhibit the binding of spermatozoids to the zona pellucida of the oocites therefore, it effects conception. It has a role in angiogenesis and is in high concentrations in the tissues of both benign and malignant gynaecological tumours.
The aim of this study is to analyse and display the glycodelin level changes before and after hysteroscopic polypectomy in infertile patients in the uterine flushing fluid and serum. This survey covers 80 infertile patients, who were divided into two groups. The first group, the experimental group, consisted of 50 infertile patients with endometrial polyps, and a control group of 30 infertile patients without endometrial polyps was also included.
The results primarily indicate the existence of changes in glycodelin levels preoperatively in the flushing and venous blood in infertile patients with endometrial polyps compared with the levels after surgery. In the control group of patients, no significant change in the glycodelin levels was detected in the flushing and venous blood. When comparing these two groups, statistically significant differences in the glycodelin levels in the flushing and venous blood were noted. We conclude that the presence of endometrial polyps in the cavum uteri affects the increase in the glycodelin concentration in the flushing fluid and in the plasma. Increased glycodelin concentrations complicate fertilization and implantation.