Understanding human pre-implantation development has important implications for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and for human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based therapies. Owing to limited resources, the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing this early stage of human development are poorly understood. Nonetheless, recent advances in non-invasive imaging techniques and molecular and g...

It is both flattering and humbling to be asked to address this topic, since quite a few people at this meeting could address it equally well or better. In fact, Koji wrote a review with almost exactly the same title 20 years ago (1). However, each of us would address the area somewhat differently. Over the years I have had the privilege of examining blastocysts and implantation sites of a large...

Establishment of the receptive uterus is a crucial step for embryo implantation. In this study, the expression profiles and characterization of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in pregnant mouse uteri on day 4, day 5 at implantation sites and inter-implantation sites were conducted using RNA-seq. A total of 7,764 putative lncRNA transcripts were identified, including 6,179 known lncRNA transcript...

Busulfan is an alkylating agent affects ovarian follicles growth by oxidative stress induction. Satureja khuzestanica has antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to examine whether S. khuzestanica essential oil (SKEO) exhibits protective effects on busulfan-induced ovarian failure. Eighty-four adult female mice were divided into six groups including dimethyl sulfoxide (...

Animal oviducts and human Fallopian tubes are a part of the female reproductive tract that hosts fertilization and pre-implantation development of the embryo. With an increasing understanding of roles of the oviduct at the cellular and molecular levels, current research signifies the importance of the oviduct on naturally conceived fertilization and pre-implantation embryo development. This rev...

background: pinopodes are suggested as biological markers of uterine receptivity, but their molecular components are unknown. objective: co-expression of galectin-3 and ?v?3 integrin at human pinopodes has been examined in this study to propose a role for them during adhesion phase of embryo implantation. materials and methods: biopsies were obtained from early and mid luteal phase endometrium ...

The effects of two Peruvian folk medicines, Lepidium meyenii Walp and Jatropha macrantha, on mouse sex steroid hormones and embryo implantation were investigated. Progesterone levels increased significantly in mice that received L. meyenii Walp, while testosterone levels increased significantly in mice that received L. meyenii Walp as well as in those that received both L. meyenii Walp and J. m...

Developmental biologists have become increasingly aware that the wealth of knowledge generated through genetic studies of pre-implantation mouse development might not easily be translated to the human embryo. Comparative studies have been fueled by recent technological advances in single-cell analysis, allowing in-depth analysis of the human embryo. This field could shortly gain more momentum a...