Project description:Embryo implantation is a complex process which involves biochemical and physiological interactions between an implantation-competent blastocyst and a receptive uterus. However, the exact biochemical changes of uterine fluid, uterus, and plasma during peri-implantation remain unclear. This study aims to characterize the biochemical and metabolic changes that occur during the peri-implantation period of early pregnancy, using mice as an animal model. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the metabolite profiles of the uterus, uterine fluid, and maternal plasma at pre-implantation and implantation. The multivariate analyses, ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test, were applied to detect significant changes in metabolites and metabolic pathways. The metabolic networks were reconstructed in silico based on the identified metabolites and KEGG metabolic framework. Between pre-implantation day 1 and day 4, dramatic metabolic changes were observed in the uterine fluid that could be important for blastocyst development and protection against the harsh uterine environment. Palmitoleic acid, fumaric acid, and glutaric acid changed levels at day 4 in the uterus, suggesting that they may be associated with endometrial receptivity. Both the uterus and maternal plasma showed profound changes in cellular metabolism at the early implantation period, including upregulation of branched-chain amino acids and intermediates of one-carbon metabolism, an upregulation of glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and downregulation of aerobic respiration; all of which could be involved in the regulation of the maternal-fetal interface, alternative nutrient utilization, and energy preservation for implantation as well as later placentation and fetal development to ensure successful embryo implantation.
Project description:Anaylsis differentially expressed genes of mouse peri-implanted uteri comparing pre-implantation uteri (Day2, Day3 and Day4) with post-implantation uteri (Day6, Day7 and Day8) by microassay. This study has built a meaningful basis for future investigation in elucidating the molecular nature of maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy establishment and maintenance. Pre-implantation uteri VS. Post-implantation uteri. Three biological replicates of each experiments: pre-implantation uteri (Day2, Day3 and Day4): 234, 234①, 234②; 3 mixture of post-implantation uteri (Day6, Day7 and Day8): 678, 678①, 678②. Two hybridizations were performed by using a reverse fluorescence strategy (Cy3, Cy5) for each sample.
Project description:Receptivity of the uterus is essential for embryo implantation and progression of pregnancy. Acquisition of receptivity involves major molecular and cellular changes in the endometrial lining of the uterus from its non-receptive state at ovulation, to its receptive state four days later. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying this transition remain to be fully characterized. Here, we aimed to generate a comprehensive profile of the uterine transcriptome in the peri-ovulatory and peri-implantation states, and to define the differences between them, in the mouse. High throughput RNA-sequencing was utilized to identify genes and pathways expressed in the endometrium of C57Bl/6 female mice on day 3.5 post-coitum after mating with BALB/c males, compared to the endometrium of unmated estrous females (n=3-4 biological replicates). RNA-sequencing and analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software revealed that, compared to the endometrium at estrus, 388 genes were differentially expressed in the endometrium on day 3.5 post-coitum (FDR ≤ 0.05). Several upstream regulators are implicated in the transition to receptivity including several cytokines, steroid hormones, prostaglandin E2, and vascular endothelial growth factor A. The transcriptional changes indicate substantial changes in the uterine immune and vascular systems during the pre-implantation phase, with the functional terms Angiogenesis, Chemotaxis, and Lymphangiogenesis predominating. This analysis confirms that the transcriptome of a receptive uterus is vastly different to the non-receptive uterus and identifies several genes and regulatory pathways not previously associated with implantation. This dataset will serve as a valuable tool and resource for future research on the molecular mechanisms of uterine receptivity.
Project description:In pigs, the peri-implantation period is recognized as determinant of successful reproduction, and it is controlled by neuroendocrinal interactions among signals originating from the female hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, uterus, and developing embryo. The transcriptomic activity of the pituitary gland may influence reproductive processes occurring in pigs during the peri-implantation period. The aim of this study was to determine alternations in gene expression in the porcine pituitary gland during the peri-implantation period (days 15-16 of pregnancy) in comparison with that during the respective days of the estrous cycle using a microarray approach.
Project description:Anaylsis differentially expressed genes of mouse peri-implanted uteri comparing pre-implantation uteri (Day2, Day3 and Day4) with post-implantation uteri (Day6, Day7 and Day8) by microassay. This study has built a meaningful basis for future investigation in elucidating the molecular nature of maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy establishment and maintenance.
Project description:To determine the effect of Zika virus infection on pre-implantation embryonic development, we performed single blastocyst RNA-Seq on MOCK and ZIKV infected embryos. ZIKV infection results in an increased risk of spontaneous abortion and poor intrauterine growth although the mechanisms underlying fetal loss remain undetermined. Little is known about the impact of ZIKV infection during the earliest stages of pregnancy, or pre- and peri-implantation, because most current studies of ZIKV infection in pregnancy models focus on post-implantation stages. Here, we demonstrate that trophectoderm cells of pre-implantation human and mouse embryos can be efficiently infected with ZIKV, and that trophectoderm can propagate virus causing cell death of neural progenitors. These findings were corroborated by our demonstration that hESC-derived trophectoderm cells are infected by ZIKV in a dose dependent manner. RNAseq of single blastocysts revealed key transcriptional changes in cellular and physiologic functions upon ZIKV infection, including nervous system development and function, prior to commitment to the neural cell lineage. Finally, the pregnancy rate of mice infected pre-implantation was > 50% lower than females infected at E4.5. These results demonstrate that pre-implantation ZIKV infection of trophectoderm leads to miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. Moreover, pre- and peri-implantation ZIKV infects trophectoderm cells that propagate virus over time causing cell death in neural progenitors. Cumulatively, these data demonstrate that vertical pre- and peri-implantation ZIKV infection of trophectoderm impairs fetal development and causes neural progenitor cell death, elucidating a previously unappreciated association of pre- and peri-implantation ZIKV infection and microcephaly.
Project description:In this study, we conducted an integrated analysis of gene expression and chromatin structure of mouse uterus to understand the regulation of uterine expressed genes on gestation day (GD) 4 during the peri-implantation period.
Project description:In this study, we conducted an integrated analysis of gene expression and chromatin structure of mouse uterus to understand the regulation of uterine expressed genes on gestation day (GD) 4 during the peri-implantation period.