Decreased Expression of Endometrial Decay Accelerating Factor (DAF), a Complement Regulatory Protein, in Patients With Luteal Phase Defect

PROBLEM: We investigated the level of decay accelerating factor (DAF) in the endometrium of luteal phase defect (LPD) patients, before and after treatment with progesterone. METHODS: Endometrial samples from fourteen normal‐cycling controls and six samples from infertility patients with LPD before and four samples after progesterone treatment were stained by anti‐DAF IgG using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Mean DAF OD in LPD patients was 15% compared to 60% in the control group. The mean DAF OD was 88% after treatment with progesterone. CONCLUSION: Results support interpretation that progesterone upregulates DAF while decreased progesterone may be associated with reduced expression of the DAF in LPD patients. 1995 Munksgaard