Intracrine Androgens Enhance Decidualization and Modulate Expression of Human Endometrial Receptivity Genes.

ABSTRACT: The endometrium is a complex, steroid-dependent tissue that undergoes dynamic cyclical remodelling. Transformation of stromal fibroblasts (ESC) into specialised secretory cells (decidualization) is fundamental to the establishment of a receptive endometrial microenvironment which can support and maintain pregnancy. Androgen receptors (AR) are present in ESC; in other tissues local metabolism of ovarian and adrenal-derived androgens regulate AR-dependent gene expression. We hypothesised that altered expression/activity of androgen biosynthetic enzymes would regulate tissue availability of bioactive androgens and the process of decidualization. Primary human ESC were treated in vitro for 1-8 days with progesterone and cAMP (decidualized) in the presence or absence of the AR antagonist flutam

SUBMITTER: Gibson DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4730211 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature