Objective: To investigate the effects of compound
mifepristone and mifepristone on morphology and expression of
estrogen receptor (ER),
progesterone receptor (PR) in
villi and decidua. Methods: 49 women with early pregnancy were randomly divided into three groups: group 1:18 cases served as control; group 2:16 cases administered mifepristone (150 mg) alone; group 3:15 cases administered compound mifepristone (anordrin 5 mg+mifepristone 30 mg,Q12 h×2 ).Twenty four hours after first medication, pregnancy was terminated by vacuum aspiration. Paraffin section with routine HE
staining was used for morphological observation of villi and decidua. ER and PR in villi and decidua were determined by immunocytochemical technique. Results: Mifepristone treatment group showed edema in a few villi and small focal degeneration and necrosis in deciduas, but the normal structure still remained. Intensity
percentage of positive staining cells of ER and PR increased
significantly in villi than that in control, ER ( P <0.001), PR ( P <0.05); staining intensity of ER and PR in decidua was not significant when compared with control ( P >0.05),but percentage of positive staining cells decreased significantly ( P <0.05); compound mifepristone treatment group showed large amount of fibrinoid material adhered to the surface of villi, edema of partial villi, and also showed patchy degeneration , necrosis and apoptotic cells in decidua. Staining intensity and percentage of ER in villi increased significantly ( P <0.05),PR was not significant ( P >0.05). Staining intensity of ER,PR was not significant in decidua (P>0.05),but percentage of positive staining cells decreased significantly when compared with control and mifepristone groups ( P <0.001). Conclusion: The percentage of positive staining cells of ER and PR in deciduas decreased significantly, meanwhile, severer degeneration and necrosis were found in decidua in compound mifepristone group when compared mifepristone alone and control groups. These changes may benefit to enhance the rate of complete abortion and to promote endometrial repair.