CA-125 levels in human uterine fluid.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To measure uterine fluid CA-125 concentration and to determine if any menstrual cycle phase dependent changes exist in its level. Serum levels are measured for comparison. DESIGN: CA-125 levels in uterine fluid were measured during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. In a sequential study, paired uterine fluid and serum samples were obtained once in both midfollicular and midluteal phases of the same menstrual cycle. RESULTS: CA-125 in uterine fluid during the follicular phase (n = 14) ranged from 16.4 x 10(3) to 616.5 x 10(3) U/mL, and from 6.2 x 10(3) to 567.3 x 10(3) U/mL in the luteal phase (n = 11). In the paired sequential uterine fluid and serum samples, (1) the means (+/- SEM) CA-125 in uterine fluid were 81.5 x 10(3) +/- 37.9 x 10(3) U/mL and 91.4 x 10(3) +/- 56.8 x 10(3) U/mL in the midfollicular and midluteal phases, respectively (P = 0.75); (2) the CA-125 levels in serum increased in the midluteal phase (P less than 0.05); and (3) compared with serum, uterine fluid levels were greater with a wider range. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with serum CA-125, uterine fluid contains high concentrations varying over a wide range without fluctuation between the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.