Experimental research of Erbu Zhuyu decoction on the endometrial morphology in mouse model of embryo implantation dysfunction

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of Erbu Zhuyu decoction on endometrial morphology in mouse model of embryo implantation dysfunction. Methods A total of 56 C57 mice were randomly divided into seven groups: blank group, model group, progynova group, aspirin group, and low-dose group, middle-dose group, high-dose group of Erbu Zhuyu decoction before built into embryo implantation dysfunction model by indometacin, 8 mice in each group. Indomethacin was used to build the mouse of embyo implantation dysfunction. The mice were killed at day 5 of pregnancy, and the pregnancy rate and the number of embyo implantation sites were calculated. Endometrial morphology was observed by light microscope, ultrastructure of endometrial cells and pinopodes was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), and pinopodes expression was scored. Results The number of implantation sites in model group (1.8±2.1) was less than that in blank group (8.1±4.2) (P<0.05), which was more in middle-dose group (7.0±6.2) and high-dose group (7.9±5.2) than that in model group (P<0.05), but were not significantly different from western medicine groups (progynova group, aspirin group). For morphologic study: in blank group, there were loose endometrial stroma, abundant glands and vessels, which were opposite in model group, and were better in other groups than in model group, especially in the middle-dose of Erbu Zhuyu decoction group. For ultrastructure study: endometrial epithelial cell structure and organelle structure were clear in blank group. The cells were severely damaged and even focally necrosed in model group, organelle structure was also damaged, such as integrated mitochondrial membrane and disappeared cristae structure, decreased ribosome. They were better in others groups than in model group. For pinopodes expression: in blank group, pinopodes expression was rich, while pinopodes expression was much less and more villi were expressed in model group. Pinopodes expression was abundant in Erbu Zhuyu decoction groups, more than model group. In western medicine groups, pinopodes expression was not as good as that in Erbu Zhuyu decoction groups, but better than model group. The pinopodes scores in model group (1.1±0.3) was lower than those in blank group (2.5±0.7) (P<0.05), which were higher in middle-dose group (2.3±0.9) and asprin group (2.0±0.7) than that in model group and progynova group (1.3±0.5) (P<0.05). Conclusion Erbu Zhuyu decoction could improve endometrial receptivity by the way of regulating endometrial development and pinopodes expression. Key words: Erbu Zhuyu Decoction; Model of embryo implantation dysfunction; Endometrial receptivity; Morphology; Pinopode