title: Hormonal and cytokine regulation of early implantation.
abstract: Implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium is a delicately controlled process and a prerequisite for the furtherance of the mammalian species. A complex network of molecules is involved in preparing both the endometrium and blastocyst for a successful interaction. However, the exact molecular steps are poorly understood. Studies so far have shown that disruption of certain pathways results in fertility defects. Impaired implantation is currently considered to be the most important limiting factor for the establishment of viable pregnancies in assisted reproduction. It is expected that elucidating the molecular background of the process will enable accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of infertility.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece. makrigia@med.uoc.gr
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makrigiannakis
authors.forename: Vassilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Minas
authors.forename: Sophia N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Kalantaridou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nikas
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Chrousos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000502:physiology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017370:Interleukin-11 / Q000502:physiology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D016207:Cytokines; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006728:Hormones; D017370:Interleukin-11; D008222:Lymphokines; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C010598:leukocyte inhibitory factor; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone