#1 Cost efficient IVF service and education in U.S. Outpatient based IVF. Complete facilities include ultrasound suite,endocrine and andrology labs, and all IVF facilities. Located at new outpatient therapy center offering the latest in laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. Accomodations for visitors are nearby, safe, and inexpensive.

Androgens and the endometrium
Title: Do androgens have a direct effect on endometrial function? An in vitro study
Author: E. Tuckerman, et al.
Address: United Kingdom
Source: Fertility and Sterility 74:771-779 (October) 2000
Summary: The purpose of this in vitro study was to examine the hypothesis that androgens have a direct effect on the function of endometrial epithelial cells, thus leading to subfertility and recurrent miscarriage. Endometrial epithelial cells were prepared from biopsy samples obtained from normal fertile women and then incubated with androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and DHEA. Androstenedione caused a dose-dependent decrease in glycodelin A secretion, uptake of 3H-thymidine, and percentage of positive Ki67 cells in cultured endometrial cells. Testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and DHEA had no effect on glycodelin A secretion or 3H-thymidine uptake. The direct effect of androgens on endometrial function was confirmed by demonstrating the presence of androgen receptors in cultured endometrial epithelial cells and showing that the direct effects of the androgens were not observed when cyproterone acetate was added to the cultures. Researchers concluded that androstenedione can inhibit human endometrial cell growth and secretory activity. Infertility and miscarriage associated with high androgen levels (such as that caused by polycystic ovary syndrome) may be due to an adverse effect of high androgen levels on the endometrium.
Comment: Interesting, but very speculative.