Immunoreactive beta-endorphin is demonstrable in the secretory but not in the proliferative endometrium

The presence of immunoreactive beta-endorphin (ir beta-E) in the endometrium was studied by immunoperoxidase staining of tissue sections at various stages of the menstrual cycle. Ir beta-E was found in the endometrium during the secretory phase of the cycle, from the fourth postovulatory day to the desquamating phase, but not in the proliferative phase or during the first three postovulatory days of the cycle. Ir beta-E was located in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells of the glands. Samples of endometrium were homogenized, and peptides were extracted with Sep Pak C18 cartridge, followed by purification of ir beta-E by cation-exchange high-pressure liquid chromatography. In samples of secretory endometrium, a peak of ir beta-E was found with identical location of that of reference beta-E. The concentration of ir beta-E in the secretory endometrium varied from 5.0 to 12.6 pg/g of tissue. The appearance of ir beta-E in the endometrium during the secretory phase may have importance in the early events of reproduction.