Int. J. Dev. Biol. 58: 147 - 154 (2014)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.130345wh

Vol 58, Issue 2-3-4

Special Issue: Embryo Implantation

Molecular determinants of uterine receptivity

Published: 10 July 2014

Zhaowei Tu^1,2, Hao Ran^1,3, Shuang Zhang¹, Guoliang Xia³, Bingyan Wang*^,1 and Haibin Wang*^,1

¹State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, ²Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and ³State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China

Abstract

Uterine receptivity is defined as a limited period when the uterine environment is conducive to blastocyst acceptance and implantation. Any disturbance of this early pregnancy event will compromise pregnancy success. In this review, we first briefly summarize uterine morphological coordination for the attainment of receptivity, then focus on elucidating the molecular complexity in establishing uterine receptivity and hence embryo implantation. A better understanding of the molecular basis governing uterine receptivity will help to improve the outcome of natural pregnancy and pregnancy conceived via assisted reproductive techniques.

Keywords

uterine receptivity, molecular determinants