**6.1 Microsatellite instability analysis by multiplex PCR**

Allelic imbalance in selected loci was reported by microsatellite assays in endometriosis (Goumenou et al, 2001). Three different microsatellite markers were selected based on reports from previous studies (Luokola et al, 2001; Xing et al, 1999). These three microsatellite markers are as follows:

The mononucleotide adenine (A)n repeats-( BAT-RII) and dinucleotide (CA)n repeats- (D3S1313, D9S171).

Multiplex PCR was carried out using specific primers for the microsatellite markers selected. PCR was performed to amplify the three target sequences using specific primers. Multiplex PCR was performed on blood and tissue DNA from 12 cases and a matching number of controls. Thus 60 multiplex PCR reactions were set up using specific primers for each of the selected microsatellite markers.
