Prostaglandins (PGs) are important regulators of reproductive functions. In ruminants, interferon (IFN)-tau is the embryonic signal responsible for recognition of pregnancy. This is effected by a reduction of the production of PGF(2alpha) relative to PGE(2.) This may be accomplished by a decrease in PGF(2alpha) production, but a stimulation of PGE(2) via the PGE synthase might also be involved....

The natural antibiotic molecules, beta-defensins 1 and 2 (HBD1/2) and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), have an important role in mucosal defence and are present in the uterus. This study details their regulation in primary endometrial epithelial cells and in two endometrial cell lines (MFE/HES). Cells were treated with proinflammatory molecules and mimics of infection [lipopolysac...

Reproduction in eutherian mammals is characterized by extended intrauterine retention of the fetus after implantation. We summarize evolutionary innovations that enable this form of vivipary, including early maternal recognition of pregnancy, invasive placentation, and emergence of the decidual cell type. We first review the structure of the marsupial endometrium and its relationship to that of...

However, the notion of receptivity as a static state in which the tissue is poised, frozen in time, awaiting the arrival of an adequately developed embryo, is naïve. An integrative definition of receptivity must embrace communication between maternal and embryonic tissues. At receptivity, the endometrium has reached a point at which negotiation can begin that may or may not lead to successful i...

The aim of this study was to quantify and localize the mRNA expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors Flt1, KDR and sflt, in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. Since neoangiogenesis is crucial during embryonic implantation, we postulate that endometrial receptivity to VEGF may be altered during the luteal phase in order to support implantation. Human e...

The current study was conducted to see the frequency of epithelial malignancies of endometrium with focus on the common diagnostic pitfalls and identify morphological and immunohistochemical markers helpful in the differential diagnosis between different subtypes. It is a retrospective descriptive study carried out on 52 specimens of endometrial tumors received in Fatima Memorial Hospital, Laho...

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a benign and progressive disease with a high prevalence. Women with endometriosis, especially with atypical endometriosis, have a higher probability for developing ovarian cancer compared with women without endometriosis. The L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is over expressed in ovarian and endometrial carcinomas and is associated with a bad prognosis. Here, we have...

INTRODUCTION In a cytological analysis of endometriotic lesions neither granulocytes nor cytotoxic T-cells appear in an appreciable number. Based on this observation we aimed to know, whether programmed cell death plays an essential role in the destruction of dystopic endometrium. Disturbances of the physiological mechanisms of apoptosis, a persistence of endometrial tissue could explain the di...

Human tissue kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are 15 hormonally regulated genes on chromosome 19q13.4 encoding secreted serine proteases. Many KLKs are expressed throughout the female reproductive system and found in cervico-vaginal fluid (CVF). Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine KLK localization in the female reproductive system (fallopian tube, endometrium, cervix and vagina ...

The recently identified trans-membrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER, GPR30) has been implicated in rapid non-genomic effects of estrogens. This focuses on expression and localization of GPER mRNA and protein in normal cyclic endometrium and early pregnancy decidua. Real-time PCR, western blotting, in situ hybridization and immuno-histochemistry were used. Endometrial expression o...