Embryo-Uterine Interactions During Implantation: Potential Sites of Interference by Environmental Toxins

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2018

Abstract

Synchronous development of the embryo to the blastocyst stage and its communication with the receptive uterus is crucial to successful implantation. The process of embryo implantation involves a complex series of molecular dialogues between the embryo and the uterus. Estrogen plays an essential role for the onset of embryo-uterine interactions during implantation and involves molecular interplay of numerous growth and differentiation regulating signaling molecules, but the hierarchical molecular relationships downstream of estrogen signaling remain poorly understood. It is well established that any aberration of normal signaling by estrogenic mimics (xenoestrogens) poses a major threat to the process of implantation and therefore the pregnancy outcome. In this review, we highlight our current knowledge about estrogen (or its mimics) regulated molecular events in implantation and in general uterine signaling, and the future challenges of the field. Basic understanding of estrogen-mediated signaling mechanisms during the onset of implantation will help alleviate problems of infertility, develop novel contraceptives, and to better manage uterine cancer problems.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Comprehensive Toxicology: Third Edition

First Page

390

Last Page

413

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