Journal
MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF MEDICINE
Volume 34, Issue 5, Pages 939-980Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2012.12.011
Keywords
Blastocyst activation; Uterine receptivity; Blastocyst attachment; Embryo implantation; Decidualization
Funding
- National Basic Research Program of China [2011CB944400]
- National Natural Science Foundation [30825015, 81130009]
- Beijing Natural Science Foundation [5091002]
- National Institutes of Health [HD071408]
- Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
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Embryo implantation involves the intimate interaction between an implantation-competent blastocyst and a receptive uterus, which occurs in a limited time period known as the window of implantation. Emerging evidence shows that defects originating during embryo implantation induce ripple effects with adverse consequences on later gestation events, highlighting the significance of this event for pregnancy success. Although a multitude of cellular events and molecular pathways involved in embryo-uterine crosstalk during implantation have been identified through gene expression studies and genetically engineered mouse models, a comprehensive understanding of the nature of embryo implantation is still missing. This review focuses on recent progress with particular attention to physiological and molecular determinants of blastocyst activation, uterine receptivity, blastocyst attachment and uterine decidualization. A better understanding of underlying mechanisms governing embryo implantation should generate new strategies to rectify implantation failure and improve pregnancy rates in women. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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