Background: Implantation is a crucial period determining the success of a full pregnancy. Endocrine disruptors such as phytoestrogens (PEs) were thought to adversely influence embryonic implantations. However, the mechanism by which they upset implantation was not fully elucidated. Aims: The effect of administering soy isoflavones on the implantation of Wistar ...

α-Lipoic acid (LA) is a thiol with antioxidant properties that protects against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. LA is absorbed from the diet, taken up by cells and tissues, and subsequently reduced to dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA). In view of the recent application of DHLA as a hydrophilic nanomaterial preparation, determination of its biosafety profile is essential. In the current study, we ex...

BACKGROUND Angiogenesis and macrophage recruitment to the uterus are key features of uterine decidualization; the progesterone-mediated uterine changes that allow for embryo implantation and initiation of pregnancy. In the current study, we characterized the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) in macrophages and endothelial cells of the peri-implantation uterus...

Background: In spite of the great deal of research in assisted reproductive techniques, more than 80% of transferred embryos by IVF/ICSI methods fail to be implanted. The causes for repeated implantation failures (RIF) may be reduced endometrial receptivity or other various uterine pathologies, such as thin endometrium, altered expression of adhesive molecules or immunological factors; whereas ...

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic IL-6 family cytokine and its maternal uterine expression is critical for mouse blastocyst implantation. In the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), although the blastocyst hatching phenomenon is quite interesting and LIF is shown to regulate hatching, information is not available on the embryonic and uterine expression of LIF and hormonal regu...

Pre-implantation development requires the specification and organization of embryonic and extra-embryonic lineages. The separation of these lineages takes place when asymmetric divisions generate inside and outside cells that differ in polarity, position and fate. Here we assess the global transcriptional identities of these precursor cells to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms regulati...

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin found in many foods worldwide, causes nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and immunotoxicity, both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we explored the cytotoxic effects exerted by OTA on the blastocyst stage of mouse embryos, on subsequent embryonic attachment, on outgrowth in vitro, and following in vivo implantation via embryo transfer. Mouse blastocysts we...

BACKGROUND Aggressive embryo and receptive endometrium are necessary for successful implantation. On this time endometrium transformates to receptive state, which permits embryonic implantation. Studies about embryonic implantation and endometrial receptivity are always a hot spot in the field of reproductive medicine. OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression pattern of Meis1 during peri-impla...

Introduction: A favorable endometrium is the essential requirement for implantation. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of endometrial power Doppler ultrasonographic parameters in predicting the success of implantation in patients undergoing IVF and ICSI cycles. Methods: Seventy three patients aged<38 years with basal serum FSH level<12 , who had not more than two faile...