Endocrine Abstracts

Successful embryo implantation requires changes in endometrial gene expression of biomarkers which contribute to uterine receptivity to facilitate blastocyst attachment. Osteopontin (OPN), expressed at the maternal–foetal interface may facilitate implantation in processes, such as cell adhesion, migration and angiogenesis which require OPN signalling via CD44 and integrin receptors. As coordinate expression of OPN and receptors is shown to be cycle-dependent and up-regula...

At implantation, the ability of an embryo to successfully attach to the luminal epithelium is dependent on the receptive phenotype the endometrium must acquire. This spatially and temporally restricted period of uterine receptivity is defined by endometrial molecular adaptations, highly regulated by embryonic-derived signals and ovarian steroids. Critical to this isthe expression of adhesivemoleculesintegrins and osteopontin (OPN) at the foetal-maternal interface which facilit...

In addition to their documented impact on the cardiovascular system, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have also been shown to modulate steroidogenesis. However, the mechanistic nature of PUFA action on steroid synthesis remains unknown. PUFAs are recognised modulators of cholesterol trafficking. Liver X receptor (LXR) is a known cholesterol sensor that regulates a range of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism including Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) which...

Uterine involution is a critical component of postpartum reproduction, which involves endometrial tissue repair, myometrial contraction and bacterial clearance. The uterus synthesises insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and –II), IGF-I receptor (IGF-1R), and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs -1 to -6) that regulate IGF bioavailability. This study used tissue from 12 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows at day 14 postpartum to investigate expression of the uterine IGF system durin...