Effect of Zhuyun recipe on endometrial pinopode expression in mice with embryonic implantation dysfunction and ovulation stimulation.

Nan Yu,Wenjie Yan,Yaqin Wang,Jing Yang,Tailang Yin,Yue Guo

doi:10.3892/etm.2014.2138

Abstract

Zhuyun recipe (ZYR) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used as an infertility treatment for a number of years. Although the therapeutic effects are desirable and satisfactory, the therapeutic mechanism of ZYR remains poorly understood. In the present study, pinopodes were investigated as an important morphological marker of endometrial receptivity, in order to further investigate the therapeutic mechanism of ZYR. The expression of pinopodes during the implantation window was observed using scanning electron microscopy in mice with induced ovarian stimulation (OS) and embryo implantation dysfunction (EID). A marked decrease in the number of fully developed pinopodes was observed on the endometrial surface in the OS and EID model mice, which was in accordance with the decreased pregnancy rate and number of embryonic implantation sites when compared with the control. Following treatment with ZYR, the spatial and temporal expression of pinopodes in the OS and EID mice was found to be similar to the control mice. In conclusion, ZYR was demonstrated to improve endometrial receptivity in OS and EID mice through significant improvements in the spatial and temporal expression of pinopodes.

Highlights

Embryo implantation is a key factor for a successful pregnancy
The effect of Zhuyun recipe (ZYR) on the expression of pinopodes on the endometrial surface of mice subjected to ovarian stimulation (OS) or embryo implantation dysfunction (EID) was demonstrated for the first time
A marked decrease in the number of fully developed pinopodes on the endometrial surface was observed in the OS and EID model mice, which was in accordance with the decreased pregnancy rates and embryonic implantation sites of the two model groups, when compared with the control group

Summary

Introduction

Embryo implantation is a key factor for a successful pregnancy. In a previous study, Boomsma et al [1] demonstrated that theKey words: ovarian stimulation, embryo implantation dysfunction, traditional Chinese medicine, endometrial receptivity, pinopodes, mouse contribution of implantation failure in the number of unsuccessful pregnancies was higher in stimulated cycles (50%) compared with natural cycles (30%). Pinopodes are recognized as an ultrastructural marker of endometrial receptivity [3]

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Methods

Conclusion