title: GM-CSF regulation of embryo development and pregnancy.
abstract: The reproductive tissues undergo profound structural changes and major immune adaptation to accommodate pregnancy. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is one of an array of cytokines with pivotal roles in embryo implantation and subsequent development. Several cell lineages in the reproductive tract and gestational tissues synthesise GM-CSF under direction by ovarian steroid hormones and signalling agents originating in male seminal fluid and the conceptus. The pre-implantation embryo, invading placental trophoblast cells and the abundant populations of leukocytes controlling maternal immune tolerance are all subject to GM-CSF regulation. GM-CSF deficiency in pregnancy adversely impacts fetal and placental development, as well as progeny viability and growth after birth, highlighting this cytokine as a central maternal determinant of pregnancy outcome with clinical relevance in human fertility.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia. sarah.robertson@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism; D019070:Cell Lineage; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D013256:Steroids; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor