title: [Expression of E-cadherin in human embryo].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of calcium dependent adhesion molecules (cadherin) during the implantation and development of human embryo by studying the expression of E-cadherin in human embryo and blastocysts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of E-cadherin in preimplantation embryos and blastocysts was detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay and quantitated by laser scanning confocal microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of E-cadherin was found in all the preimplantation embryos and blastocysts the present authors studied. The expression was higher in blastocysts than that in preimplantation embryos.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The above results suggested that human embryos and blastocysts could express E-cadherin and the expression increased during their development. These may be of significance to the adhesion and implantation of the human embryo and blastocysts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350025 PR China. liuyun95@sina.com
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Fu-qi
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Xing
mesh_terms: D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins