Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1993

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Zoology

Major Professor

C. Alex Shivers

Committee Members

Jeff MacCabe, M. L. Pan

Abstract

The ability and accuracy of an assay designed to detect antiendometrial antibodies found in samples of serum, follicular fluid, and peritoneal fluid is significant in determining whether endometriosis can be predicted. Samples were collected from 264 patients of local gynecologists and an in vitro fertilization laboratory. An antiendometrial antibody (AEA) assay was used to test for endometriosis. Collected samples were applied to normal human endometrial tissue. A second antibody labeled to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was also applied. Laparoscopy performed by gynecologists and the in vitro fertilization laboratory served as a control for the AEA assay. Serum produced the most accurate results when compared to laparoscopy while follicular fluid and peritoneal fluid produced results similar to each other, but less accurate than serum. Further refinement of the AEA assay could result in a useful, nonsurgical technique for predicting endometriosis. Also under investigation was whether human antiendometrial antibodies cross reacted with endometrial tissue from other mammals. Among the mammals tested, marmoset and porcine endometrial tissue produced results that best correlated to human endometrial tissue when exposed to antiendometrial antibodies. Due to economic practicality, porcine endometrial tissue was chosen as an alternative to human endometrial tissue for use in the AEA assay.

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