The endometrial trasccriptome transition accompanying acquisition of receptivity to embryo implantation in mice

ABSTRACT: Receptivity of the uterus is essential for embryo implantation and progression of pregnancy. Acquisition of receptivity involves major molecular and cellular changes in the endometrial lining of the uterus from its non-receptive state at ovulation, to its receptive state four days later. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying this transition remain to be fully characterized. Here, we aimed to generate a comprehensive profile of the uterine transcriptome in the peri-ovulatory and peri-implantation states, and to define the differences between them, in the mouse. High throughput RNA-sequencing was utilized to identify genes and pathways expressed in the endometrium of C57Bl/6 female mice on day 3.5 post-coitum after mating with BALB/c males, compared to the endometrium of unmated estrous females (n=3-4 biological replicates). RNA-sequencing and analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software revealed that, compared to the endometrium at estrus, 388 genes were differentially expressed in the endometrium on day 3.5 post-coitum (FDR ≤ 0.05). Several upstream regulators are implicated in the transition to receptivity including several cytokines, steroid hormones, prostaglandin E2, and vascular endothelial growth factor A. The transcriptional changes indicate substantial changes in the uterine immune and vascular systems during the pre-implantation phase, with the functional terms Angiogenesis, Chemotaxis, and Lymphangiogenesis predominating. This analysis confirms that the transcriptome of a receptive uterus is vastly different to the non-receptive uterus and identifies several genes and regulatory pathways not previously associated with implantation. This dataset will serve as a valuable tool and resource for future research on the molecular mechanisms of uterine receptivity.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE223136 | GEO | 2023/09/12

REPOSITORIES: GEO