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Optimization of Endometrial Decidualization in the Menstruating Mouse Model for Preclinical Endometriosis Research

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Abstract

Background: To induce endometrial decidualization in rodents, an intrauterine oil stimulus can be delivered via the nontraumatic vagina or via the traumatic laparotomy. However, there is considerable variation in amount of decidualization using these inducing methods. Therefore, we studied which oil delivery route could achieve the highest rate of endometrial decidualization along the full length of both uterine horns. Methods: To induce decidualization, ovariectomized C57BI/6J mice were injected with estrogen (100 ng/day; 3 days). A progesterone pellet (5 mg) was implanted subcutaneously, followed by estrogen injections (5 ng/day; 3 days). Oil (20 μL/horn) was injected in the uterus via laparotomy, laparoscopy, or vagina. Four days later, the pellet was removed, followed by hysterectomy after 4 to 6 hours. Endometrial decidualization was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically using hematoxylin and eosin and desmin staining. Furthermore, uterine weight and hormone levels were measured. Results: The proportion of animals with macroscopic bicornuate decidualization was higher after laparoscopic (83%) and laparotomic (89%) injection than after sham injection (I 1%). Furthermore, macroscopic bicornuate decidualization was significantly higher after laparotomic injection (89%) compared to the vaginal injection (38%). Uterine weight and endometrial surface area were significantly higher in both laparotomy and laparoscopy groups compared to the sham group, while the relative desmin-positive endometrial surface area was only significantly different between the laparotomy and the sham animals. Conclusion: Methods using laparoscopic and laparotomic intrauterine oil injection resulted in a higher amount of decidualized endometrium compared to sham injection, although further optimization is needed to reach full bicornuate decidualization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Center, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Daniëlle Peterse MSc, F. O. Dorien MSc & Amelie Fassbender PhD

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Development and Regeneration, Laboratory of Endometrium, Endometriosis & Reproductive Medicine, KU Leuven University, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Daniëlle Peterse MSc, Katrien De Clercq MSc, Chloë Goossens MSc, M. Mercedes Binda PhD, F. O. Dorien MSc, Joris Vriens PhD, Amelie Fassbender PhD & Thomas M. D’Hooghe MD, PhD

  3. MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

    Philippa Saunders PhD

  4. Global Medical Affairs Fertility, Research and Development, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany

    Thomas M. D’Hooghe MD, PhD

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  1. Daniëlle Peterse MSc
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  2. Katrien De Clercq MSc
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  9. Thomas M. D’Hooghe MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Thomas M. D’Hooghe MD, PhD.

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Peterse, D., Clercq, K.D., Goossens, C. et al. Optimization of Endometrial Decidualization in the Menstruating Mouse Model for Preclinical Endometriosis Research. Reprod. Sci. 25, 1577–1588 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719118756744

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