The effect of copper intrauterine devices on the expression of mucin 1 and integrin β1 in the luteal phase endometrium

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a copper intrauterine device on the expression of mucin- 1 (MUC1) and ntegrin β1 in the luteal phase endometrium.Material and Methods: 25 regularly menstruating women (25-35 years) who were willing to use copper intrauterine device contraception participated in this study. Endometrial sampling via a Pipelle canulla was performed on the 24th day of their cycle and repeated three months after insertion of TCu380A IUD. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for MUC1 and integrin β1 in the endometrial sections. Staining intensity was graded under the conventional light microscope. Results: The mean age of the study population was 32.8±5.3 years (25-35). MUC1 expression of the endometrial luminal epithelium cytoplasm and the luminal epithelium increased significantly after three months of IUD usage (p=0.01; p<0.001 respectively). Neither integrin β1 expression of endometrial luminal epithelium cytoplasma nor of the endometrial stroma changed after three months of IUD usage (p=0.16; p=0.22 respectively). Conclusion: The increase of the embryo implantation inhibitor MUC1 synthesis may be responsible for the IUD’s mechanism of action for pregnancy prevention. Integrin β1 expression of the endometrial luminal epithelium cytoplasm and stroma are not affected by the use of copper IUD.