Effects of Estradiol at Different Levels on Rabbit Endometrial Repair After Curettage.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of estradiol on endometrial regeneration and stromal fibrosis after endometrial curettage.

Study design: This is an experimental, prospective study. Combining ovariectomized rabbits and different doses of estrogen replacement, we divided 33 female rabbits into 4 groups: control, low estrogen, moderate estrogen, and high estrogen. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson’s trichrome staining were used to assess the regeneration of endometrial glands and the degree of stromal fibrosis.

Results: Before curettage, estradiol at high serum level could stimulate endometrial gland regeneration as assessed by the number of endometrial glands in paraffin sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. However, after curettage, both high and low doses of estradiol impaired glandular regeneration while enhancing stro-ma fibrosis, which was calculated as the ratio of stromal fibrosis area to endometrial area in paraffin sections stained with Masson’s trichrome, as compared with the control group. In addition, estradiol is favorable to endometrial repair at the physiological level.

Conclusion: Estradiol compromises glandular regeneration and promotes stromal fibrosis at both low and high serum levels but is favorable to endometrial repair at the physiological level. This study may provide new insight for the role of estrogen therapy after hysteroscopic division of intrauterine adhesion.