In a rat model of endometriosis, the expression of mTOR was increased, and the expression of Beclin1, Bnip3, Ambra1, LC3II, and Parkin was decreased,15 suggesting that the autophagy level is decreased in ectopic endometrium compared to eutopic endometrium and normal endometrium. This evidence concerns the gene BNIP3 and endometriosis.