Hormonal regulation of the endometrium and the effects of hormonal therapies
Carlos Simón, Linda C. Giudice in The Endometrial Factor, 2017
The postovulatory surge in progesterone triggers a highly coordinated response in the endometrium, arresting estrogen-dependent epithelial cell proliferation and then transforming glands, recruiting bone marrow (BM)-derived immune cells, and promoting angiogenesis (23,44,45). Progesterone is required for the process of decidualization, which is required for embryo implantation and maintenance of pregnancy (46). Decidualization is the transformation of endometrial stromal cells into specialized secretory decidual cells (44,47). Decidualized stromal cells are derived from the stromal fibroblast-like cells within the endometrium (48). Prolonged exposure to progesterone induces a rounded cell characterized by release of prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1). In vitro, elevated intracellular cAMP, as well as progesterone, is necessary for decidualization. In vivo, these conditions may be provided by progesterone from the corpus luteum, by prostaglandin E, a stimulator of adenyl cyclase, and relaxin, which has recently been shown to be a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (48).
Eicosanoids and Blastocyst Implantation
Murray D. Mitchell in Eicosanoids in Reproduction, 2020
Implantation involves a series of reactions between the embryo and uterus which result in the embryo becoming fixed in position within the uterus in physical contact with the maternal organism.1 There are considerable differences between species in the reactions occurring during implantation, especially in the extent of trophoblastic invasion of the endometrium.2,3 At one extreme of the spectrum are species with central implantation, in which there is no trophoblastic invasion of the endometrium; contact between the conceptus and endometrium is made as a consequence of blastocyst enlargement. The luminal epithelium of the endometrium generally remains intact. In these species, changes in the underlying endometrial stroma are usually limited. By contrast, in species with eccentric or interstitial implantation, the blastocyst remains small and the trophoblastic cells break through the luminal epithelium, either as a consequence of apoptosis of the epithelial cells or by separating the epithelial cells, and invade the endometrial stroma. Changes in the endometrial stroma adjacent to the invading conceptus are generally extensive in these species. The endometrial stromal cells proliferate and differentiate to decidual cells, and ultimately give rise to the maternal component of the placenta.
Transformation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells In Vitro
George E. Milo, Bruce C. Casto, Charles F. Shuler in Transformation of Human Epithelial Cells: Molecular and Oncogenetic Mechanisms, 2017
The entire endometrium is derived from the mesodermal germ layer. It is composed primarily of two cell types, glandular epithelial cells and the cells that are specifically designated as “endometrial stromal cells”. Stromal cells are the most numerous cells in the tissue and surround glands and blood vessels. The endometrial stromal cells differ from fibroblasts, which form the stroma of most tissues. They have steroid hormone receptors and respond to hormonal variations during the menstrual cycle with morphological and biochemical changes.6–8 During pregnancy, stromal cells become the decidual cells at the placental implantation site, and in the process they change further to a more differentiated state. They produce large amounts of growth factors (the highest levels of TGF-α in the bodies of pregnant rodents119 which may serve to facilitate fetal development.
Prolactin Protects the Structural Integrity of Human Fetal Membranes by Downregulating Inflammation-induced Secretion of Matrix Metalloproteinases
Published in Immunological Investigations, 2022
Pilar Flores-Espinosa, Andrea Olmos-Ortíz, Martha Granados-Cepeda, Braulio Quesada-Reyna, Rodrigo Vega-Sánchez, Pilar Velázquez, Verónica Zaga-Clavellina
Prolactin (PRL) is a polypeptide hormone with critical functions for reproduction such as the support of progesterone production, successful implantation, fetal development, and immunologic modulation (Binart 2016; Soares et al. 2007). During human pregnancy, maternal decidual cells are an important source of extra-pituitary PRL, which crosses the fetal membranes into the amniotic cavity as long as the structural integrity between choriodecidua and amnion is maintained (Kletzky et al. 1985). Decidual PRL has the same molecular weight and biological activity as pituitary PRL (Ben-Jonathan et al. 2008; Kletzky et al. 1985). Interestingly, the concentration of PRL in the amniotic fluid increases from the 12th to 14th week of pregnancy, reaching a maximum concentration of 4000 ng/ml around 20 weeks, and subsequently decreasing towards the end of the pregnancy coinciding with the clinical signs of labor (Kletzky et al. 1985; Kubota et al. 1986).
Investigation of the embryo-toxicity of the antiviral drug “Ribavirin” in Wistar rats during different gestation periods
Published in Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2023
Mohamed Magdy, Abd El Wahab El Ghareeb, Taha M. A. Eldebss, Heba Ali Abd El Rahman
These findings can be explained by the direct action of the parent compound or its metabolites via the active role of the placental transfer of compounds through the placental barrier. The direct action of a compound on embryonic tissues leads to cytotoxic effects and cell death [9] . ENT1 protein produced in placental microvillous membranes also appears to have a key role in ribavirin absorption [34] . Another factor limiting the development and growth of the embryo is the development of decidual cells. During pregnancy, the placenta develops fast for a brief period due to increased blood flow [9] . A decrease in viable fetuses’ frequency may occur due to incomplete placental development and deterioration of both the trophoblasts and decidual cells, which are essential for providing nutrients to the embryo, or early fetal loss and upsurge in the incidence of fetal resorption [35] . As a result, fetal weight loss may ensue from the suppression of DNA transcription during the early phases of embryonic development [36].
Fetal Genetic Diagnosis by Chorionic Villus Sampling: Evaluation of the Five-Year Experience from a Single Center
Published in Fetal and Pediatric Pathology, 2021
Filiz Halici Öztürk, Fatma Doga Öcal, Seyit Ahmet Erol, Kadriye Yakut, Merve Öztürk, Yüksel Oguz, Esra Sükran Çakar, Sevki Celen, Ali Turhan Çaglar
CVS materials can be analyzed through a direct method or a culture method. The culture method represents the fetal karyotype more accurately than the direct method. However, decidual cells can grow in the culture and result in a potential for maternal cell contamination. In most cases, MCC can only be identified when a male fetus is present [29]. Previous studies reported that maternal cell contamination rate ranged from 1.7 to 3.8% [8–10]. In our laboratory, only long-term culture method is implemented for cytogenetic analysis. The study findings postulated that the rates for maternal cell contamination (1.4%) were slightly lower compared to the literature. MCC can be reduced by obtaining adequate amount of villous tissue, carefully separating it from any adherent decidua and using both direct and culture method [29].
Related Knowledge Centers
- Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate
- Decidua
- Decidualization
- Egg Cell
- Mucous Membrane
- Progesterone
- Trophoblast
- Uterus
- Uterine Gland
- Body Orifice