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Background Endometriosis is a known cause of infertility. Differences in immune tolerance caused by regulatory T cells (Tregs) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) are thought to be involved in the pathology of endometriosis. Evidence has indicated that Tregs can be separated into three functionally and phenotypically distinct subpopulations and that activated TGF-β is released from latency-associated peptide (LAP) on the surfaces of specific cells. The aim of this study was to examine differences in Treg subpopulations and LAP in the peripheral blood (PB) and peritoneal fluid (PF) of patients with and without endometriosis. Methods PB and PF were collected from 28 women with laparoscopically and histopathologically diagnosed endometriosis and 20 disease-free women who were subjected to laparoscopic surgery. Three subpopulations of CD4+ T lymphocytes (CD45RA+FoxP3low resting Tregs, CD45RA−FoxP3high effector Tregs, and CD45RA−FoxP3low non-Tregs) and CD11b+ mononuclear cells expressing LAP were analyzed by flow cytometry using specific monoclonal antibodies. Results Proportions of suppressive Tregs (resting and effector Tregs) were significantly higher in the PF samples of patients with endometriosis than in those of control women (P = 0.02 and P

It has been reported that the incidence of ureteral injury during laparoscopic surgery is higher than during laparotomy. Accordingly, we investigated the usefulness and safety of ureteral illuminating catheters during gynecological surgery. Two patients underwent laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy and laparoscopic hysterectomy with the use of ureteral illuminating catheters. After introduction of the laparoscope, the catheters were clearly seen within the ureters through the pelvic peritoneum, facilitating dissection of the ureters and control of periureteric bleeding. Regarding the complications of ureteral illuminating catheters, lumbar backache was noted postoperatively in one patient, but it resolved after one day. No other complications were found. This method can be applied for training in laparoscopy at teaching hospitals, as well as in technically challenging cases where identification of the ureters is likely to be difficult, e.g. patients with severe pelvic adhesions, severe endometriosis, and malignant tumours. To assess the safety of ureteral illuminating catheters, we will investigate more cases in the future.