Role of steroid receptors in the pathogenesis of tubal pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of steroid receptors in the pathogenesis of tubal pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-two women in the reproductive-age group who had undergone salpingectomy because of ectopic pregnancy or sterilization were enrolled. The study group consisted of 12 women who underwent salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy. The control group included 10 patients in whom the tubes had been removed for elective sterilization. RESULTS: Estrogen receptors were detected in 1 (8.3%) tube with ectopic pregnancy and in 10 (100%) normal tubes (P =.0001). Progesterone receptors were present in 4 (33.3%) tubes in the study group and in all the tubes in the control group (P =.002). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that a basic cellular component, the steroid receptor, is damaged in tubes harboring pregnancy.