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Progress on the Role of Estrogen and Progesterone Signaling in Mouse Embryo Implantation and Decidualization

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Abstract

Embryo implantation and decidualization are key steps in establishing a successful pregnancy. Defects in embryo implantation and decidualization can cause a series of adverse chain reactions which can contribute to harmful pregnancy outcomes, such as embryo growth retardation, preeclampsia, miscarriage, premature birth, and so on. Approximately 75% of failed pregnancies are considered to be due to embryo implantation failure or defects. Decidualization, characterized by proliferation and differentiation of uterine stromal cells, is one of the essential conditions for blastocyst implantation, placental formation, and maintenance of pregnancy and is indispensable for the establishment of pregnancy in many species. Embryo implantation and decidualization are closely regulated by estrogen and progesterone secreted by the ovaries. Many cellular events and molecular signaling network pathways are involved in this process. This article reviews the recent advances in the molecular mechanisms of estrogen- and progesterone-regulating uterine receptivity establishment, blastocyst implantation, and decidualization, in order to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of hormonal regulation of embryo implantation and to develop new strategies for preventing or treating embryo implantation defects and improving the pregnancy rate of women.

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Funding

This work was supported by grants from the Natural Science Foundation of China (82103189), the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (2020J05302, 2021J011358, and 2022J011363), the Science Foundation of the Fujian provincial Commission of Health and Family Planning (2021GGB026), the Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi Province (2021JQ-780 and 2023-JC-YB-691), and the Health Education Joint Project of Fujian Province (2019-WJ-34).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Xi’An Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microorganism and Tumor Immunity, Xi’An Medical University, Xi’An 710021, China

    Jianghong Cheng, Zizhuo Sha, Junyang Li, Bixuan Li & Yang Wang

  2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, People’s Republic of China

    Xianyang Luo, Yi Zhou & Shuai Chen

  3. Xiamen Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiamen, 361003, China

    Xianyang Luo, Yi Zhou & Shuai Chen

  4. Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350004, People’s Republic of China

    Xianyang Luo, Zhiming Zhang & Yi Zhou

  5. Department of Breast Surgery, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, People’s Republic of China

    Zhiming Zhang

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  1. Jianghong Cheng
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  7. Yi Zhou
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  8. Shuai Chen
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  9. Yang Wang
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Contributions

Yang Wang and Shuai Chen contributed to the study conception and design. Data collection and analysis were performed by Jianghong Cheng, Junyang Li, and Zizhuo Sha. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Yang Wang and Shuai Chen and edited by Bixuan Li, Xianyang Luo, Zhiming Zhang, and Yi Zhou. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Cheng, J., Sha, Z., Li, J. et al. Progress on the Role of Estrogen and Progesterone Signaling in Mouse Embryo Implantation and Decidualization. Reprod. Sci. 30, 1746–1757 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-023-01169-0

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