-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To examine the effects of androgen on implantation and decidualization in the mouse delayed-implantation model.
Experimental animal study.
University research laboratory.
Sexually mature female mice (Kunming White strain).
Delayed and activated implantation; pseudopregnancy; embryo transfer (ET); E(2) assay; inhibitor.
Effects of androgen on embryo implantation were determined by treating the mice under delayed implantation with different doses of testosterone propionate (TP); the effects of androgen on the expression of implantation-related genes were examined by in situ hybridization.
Delayed implantation could be initiated by TP. Dihydrotestosterone was also able to initiate implantation in the delayed-implantation model. The implantation window could be maintained for at least 48 hours by 5 mg TP per mouse. Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPtges) were aberrantly expressed in mouse uterus at implantation sites after delayed implantation was activated by high doses of TP.
A low dose of TP led to a delay in embryo implantation, but a high dose caused aberrant expression of both Ptgs2 and mPtges at the implantation site. It is possible that high doses of TP may disturb peri-implantation development or may be involved in early pregnancy loss by disturbing the uterine prostaglandin system.
Fertility and sterility 12/2007; 90(4 Suppl):1376-83. · 3.97 Impact Factor
-
Ying Chen,
Hua Ni,
Xing-Hong Ma,
Shi-Jun Hu,
Li-Ming Luan,
Gang Ren,
Yue-Chao Zhao, Shi-Jie Li,
Hong-Lu Diao,
Xiu Xu,
Zhen-Ao Zhao,
Zeng-Ming Yang
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Although implantation types differ between species, the interaction between blastocyst trophectoderm and apical surface of the uterine epithelium is a common event during the implantation process. In this study, uterine luminal epithelium at implantation and inter-implantation sites was isolated by enzymatic digestion and used for microarray analysis. In a mouse microarray containing 12 345 unigenes, we found 136 genes upregulated more than twofold at the implantation site, while 223 genes were downregulated by at least twofold. Reverse transcription-PCR was used to verify the differential expression of seven upregulated and six downregulated genes chosen randomly from our microarray analysis, and the expression trends were similar. The differential expression patterns of eight upregulated genes were verified by in situ hybridization. Compared with the inter-implantation site on day 5 of pregnancy and the uterus on day 5 of pseudopregnancy, protease, serine, 12 neurotrypsin, endothelin-1, gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, Ras homolog gene family, member U, T-cell immunoglobulin, and mucin domain containing 2, proline-serine-threonine phosphatase-interacting protein 2, 3-monooxgenase/tryptophan 5-monooxgenase activation protein, gamma-polypeptide, and cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61) were upregulated in the luminal epithelium at implantation site on day 5 of pregnancy. These genes may be related to embryo apposition and adhesion during embryo implantation. Cyr61, a gene upregulated at the implantation site, was chosen to examine its expression and regulation during the periimplantation period by in situ hybridization. Cyr61 mRNA was specifically localized in the luminal epithelium surrounding the implanting blastocyst at day 4 midnight and on day 5 of pregnancy, and in the activated uterus, but not expressed in inter-implantation sites and under delayed implantation, suggesting a role for Cyr61 in mediating embryonic-uterine dialog during embryo attachment. Our data could be a valuable source for future study on embryo implantation.
Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 09/2006; 37(1):147-61. · 3.48 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Cyclooxygenase (COX), a rate-limiting enzyme that produces prostaglandins (PGs) from arachidonic acid, exists in two isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2. PGE2 synthase (PGES) is a terminal prostanoid synthase and can enzymatically convert the cyclooxygenase product PGH2 to PGE2, including two isoforms: microsomal PGES (mPGES) and cytosolic PGES (cPGES). cPGES is predominantly linked with COX-1 to promote the immediate response. mPGES is preferentially coupled with the inducible COX-2 to promote delayed PGE2 generation. COX-2-deficient female mice are infertile with abnormalities in ovulation, fertilization, implantation and decidualization. The aim of this study was to examine immunohistochemically the expression pattern of COX-1, COX-2, mPGES and cPGES proteins in the endometrium of the rhesus monkey during the menstrual cycle. COX-1 immunostaining was mainly localized in the luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium near the lumen, and detected in all the stages during the menstrual cycle. COX-2 immunostaining was mainly localized in the luminal and glandular epithelium, and strongly shown during the mid-luteal phase (days 16 and 20) of the menstrual cycle. There was a strong cPGES immunostaining in the luminal and glandular epithelium on days 12, 16, 20 and 25 of the menstrual cycle. mPGES immunostaining was strongly detected in the glandular epithelium on days 20 and 25 of the menstrual cycle. These data suggest that the coupling of cPGES and COX-1 in the luminal epithelium may be responsible for the synthesis of PGE2 in monkey endometrium, and the coupling of mPGES and COX-2 in the glandular epithelium may be of importance for preparing the receptive endometrium.
Reproduction (Cambridge, England) 05/2004; 127(4):465-73. · 3.09 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Calcitonin has been shown to be a progesterone-regulated potential marker of the receptive endometrium in the rat and human. The present study was undertaken to immunohistochemically investigate the changes in calcitonin in the monkey uterus during the menstrual cycle and periimplantation period. Calcitonin immunostaining was primarily localized in the glandular epithelium on d 16, 20, and 25 of the menstrual cycle. During early pregnancy, calcitonin immunostaining was strongly observed in the glandular epithelium only on d 9 of pregnancy, the day before implantation. Since the high level of calcitonin immunostaining in the glandular epithelium during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and periimplantation period matched the high level of maternal progesterone during this period, the expression of calcitonin in monkey endometrium may be under the regulation of maternal progesterone.
Endocrine 07/2002; 18(1):75-8. · 1.42 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: This study examines immunohistochemically the presence of EGF, TGFα, HB-EGF, AR, and EGFR, members of the EGF family in the monkey uterus during the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy. EGF, TGFα, HB-EGF, AR, and EGFR were mainly localized in glandular and luminal epithelium. TGFα, HB-EGF, and AR staining were stronger in the glandular epithelium closer to the myometrium than in that closer to the luminal epithelium. The level of EGF, TGFα, HB-EGF, AR, and EGFR staining was low on days 1 and 6, and began to increase on day 9 of the menstrual cycle. A high level of EGF, and EGFR staining was maintained on days 16, 20, and 25 of the menstrual cycle. The highest levels of TGFα, AR, and HB-EGF staining were seen on days 16 and 20 of the menstrual cycle. In early pregnancy, a low level of EGF, TGFα, HB-EGF, AR, and EGFR staining appeared on days 1 and 2 of pregnancy, and then gradually increased from day 3 of pregnancy. The highest levels of EGF, TGFα, HB-EGF, and EGFR were detected on days 9, and 11 of pregnancy. Our data suggest that the EGF family may play a role in monkey implantation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55:164–174, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Molecular Reproduction and Development 01/2000; 55(2):164 - 174. · 2.53 Impact Factor