Reproduction Abstracts

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: In preparation for blastocyst implantation, the microvilli of uterine epithelial cells (UECs) are lost and the apical plasma membrane flattens. Prominin-1 is a membrane glycoprotein restricted to the apical domain of epithelial cells, while the structurally related prominin-2 is distributed throughout the plasma membrane of epithelial cells in a non-polarised way. This study aimed to examine the expression of prominin-1 and -2 in UECs to examine their potential r...