TY - JOUR
T1 - The microenvironment of human implantation
T2 - Determinant of reproductive success
AU - Salamonsen, Lois A.
AU - Evans, Jemma
AU - Nguyen, Hong P T
AU - Edgell, Tracey A.
PY - 2016/4
Y1 - 2016/4
N2 - Successful implantation requires synchronous development of embryo and endometrium. Endometrial receptivity results from progesterone-induced differentiation of endometrial cells, generally achieved during the mid-secretory phase of the cycle. Failure to properly develop receptivity results in failed or inadequate implantation and hence no ongoing pregnancy. The blastocyst undergoes final development, apposition, attachment and initiates invasion of the endometrial epithelium within the uterine cavity. Thus, the microenvironment provided by uterine fluid, particularly glandular secretions, is essential for implantation. Analysis of endometrial fluid has identified cytokines, chemokines, proteases, antiproteases and other factors that modulate blastocyst functions relevant to implantation. Exosomes/microvesicular bodies released from the endometrium (and likely also the embryo) are present in uterine fluid. These can transfer miRNA, proteins and lipids between cells, thus providing endometrial-embryo communication in the peri-implantation period. Understanding the uterine microenvironment, and its effects on endometrial-embryo interactions, will provide opportunities to modify current infertility treatments to improve success rates.
AB - Successful implantation requires synchronous development of embryo and endometrium. Endometrial receptivity results from progesterone-induced differentiation of endometrial cells, generally achieved during the mid-secretory phase of the cycle. Failure to properly develop receptivity results in failed or inadequate implantation and hence no ongoing pregnancy. The blastocyst undergoes final development, apposition, attachment and initiates invasion of the endometrial epithelium within the uterine cavity. Thus, the microenvironment provided by uterine fluid, particularly glandular secretions, is essential for implantation. Analysis of endometrial fluid has identified cytokines, chemokines, proteases, antiproteases and other factors that modulate blastocyst functions relevant to implantation. Exosomes/microvesicular bodies released from the endometrium (and likely also the embryo) are present in uterine fluid. These can transfer miRNA, proteins and lipids between cells, thus providing endometrial-embryo communication in the peri-implantation period. Understanding the uterine microenvironment, and its effects on endometrial-embryo interactions, will provide opportunities to modify current infertility treatments to improve success rates.
KW - Biomarkers
KW - Embryo-maternal interactions
KW - Endometrial receptivity
KW - Exosomes
KW - Infertility
KW - Uterine fluid
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84949974957&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/aji.12450
DO - 10.1111/aji.12450
M3 - Review Article
C2 - 26661899
AN - SCOPUS:84977492447
VL - 75
SP - 218
EP - 225
JO - American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
JF - American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
SN - 1046-7408
IS - 3
ER -