Fertility and Sterility Evidence for cycle-dependent expression of full-length human chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA in human endometrium and decidua  Peter Licht, M.D., Michael von Wolff, M.D., Alexander Berkholz, M.D., Ludwig Wildt, M.D.  Fertility and Sterility  Volume 79, Pages 718-723 (March 2003) DOI: 10.1016/S0015-0282(02)04822-7

FIGURE 1 Nested RT-PCR analysis for sensitive detection of full-length and truncated hCG/LH-receptor mRNA. After reverse transcription, the samples are preamplified in four tubes (1–4), with different primer pairs covering either the complete coding sequence (1) or several shorter fragments of the receptor gene (2–4). The resulting product is then subjected to a nested PCR using a single internal primer pair that gives rise to a 179-bp cDNA. Licht. hCG/LH receptors and endometrium. Fertil Steril 2003. Fertility and Sterility 2003 79, 718-723DOI: (10.1016/S0015-0282(02)04822-7)

FIGURE 2 Nested RT-PCR analysis. Samples without reverse transcription (negative controls; A) as well as total RNA derived from human luteinized granulosa cells (positive controls; B) were subjected to amplification as described in Materials and Methods. An aliquot of 1 μL was transferred to a new tube and reamplified with nested primers. All negative controls did not result in amplification, whereas granulosa cells expressed full-length hCG/LH-receptor mRNA as well as β-actin. Gels were stained with ethidium bromide. Licht. hCG/LH receptors and endometrium. Fertil Steril 2003. Fertility and Sterility 2003 79, 718-723DOI: (10.1016/S0015-0282(02)04822-7)

FIGURE 3 Nested RT-PCR analysis of full-length and truncated hCG/LH-receptor expression in human endometrium and decidua. Three typical examples of amplification products derived from (A) proliferative endometrium, (B) secretory phase endometrium, as well as (C) early pregnancy decidua are depicted. The amplification of all four receptor cDNAs suggests the expression of full-length hCG/LH receptor cDNA in proliferative as well as in secretory phase endometrium (A, B). In decidua, only a truncated receptor variant appears to be present (C). IGFBP-1 is coamplified as a marker for decidualisation, and β-actin serves as a housekeeping gene, indicating the presence of RNA in the sample. Licht. hCG/LH receptors and endometrium. Fertil Steril 2003. Fertility and Sterility 2003 79, 718-723DOI: (10.1016/S0015-0282(02)04822-7)