Apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 in human endometrium in natural and artificial cycles.

Apoptosis plays a significant role in differentiation of many organs and helps to maintain homeostasis. The occurrence of apoptosis (using the apoptotic index) and expression of regulation protein Bcl-2 in the human endometrium was evaluated within the secretory phase of both the natural cycle, and an artificial one. Oral hormonal substitution used in this design induced similar, but more marked dynamic changes in Bcl-2 expression in the mid-secretory endometrium as were observed in the natural cycle, primarily in the surface and glandular epithelium of the endometrium. The apoptosis revealed similar a trend, but not significantly different.