Reproduction Abstracts

Kisspeptin neuropeptides stimulate release of GnRH to maintain mammalian fertility. Kisspeptins are encoded by the Kiss1 gene and directly stimulate GnRH neurons via the G-protein coupled receptor54 (GPR54). Transgenic mice with inactivating mutations of Kiss1 or Gpr54 are sterile and have underdeveloped gonads (hypogonadism) and low GnRH levels caused by a failure to secrete GnRH. The aim of this study was to determine whether the sterility of mutan...

Introduction: Maternal plasma in many pre-eclamptic (PE) pregnancies is low in the placenta product “Placental growth factor” (PGF). Offspring of PE compared to uncomplicated pregnancies show higher blood pressure, cognitive impairment and stroke; mechanisms explaining these differences are undefined. In Pgf−/− mice, decidual vessels have limited branching and connectivity. We asked if PGF deficiency diminishes brain vascular developme...

Introduction: Ectopic pregnancy is unique to humans and a leading cause of maternal morbidity/mortality however the etiology remains unknown. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has roles in extravillous-trophoblast adhesion/invasion and is expressed in ectopic pregnancy. We hypothesised that LIF facilitates blastocyst adhesion/invasion in the fallopian tube (FT), contributing to ectopic pregnancy. LIF blockade could serve as a treatment strategy.Methods: W...

Introduction: Implantation is a highly coordinated event in which the receptive endometrium is primed to receive adhesion-competent blastocysts. Implantation relies on the bridging of integrins on the endometrium and the blastocyst by extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin. Factors produced in the female reproductive tract are thought to support development of the blastocyst to an adhesion competent state and to ensure coordination of blastocyst implantation abilit...

Introduction: The CDC reports that roughly one-third of USA adults suffer from metabolic syndrome. Amongst other health complications, metabolic syndrome is associated with subfertility and complications later in pregnancy. Successful implantation and pregnancy require the priming of both embryo and uterus during a short window of time called the ‘window of implantation’. At this time, hormones stimulate uterine stromal fibroblasts to differentiate into specialized s...