Postgestational effects of macrophage migration inhibitory factor on embryonic implantation in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate in vivo the effects of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) on endometrial receptivity and embryonic implantation.


METHODS
A murine experimental model.


METHODS
Animal facilities at Research Center of Saint-François d'Assise Hospital.


METHODS
Ten-week-old B6C3F-1 female mice.


METHODS
Intraperitoneal injections of recombinant mouse MIF or saline (control) the day after successful mating and during the peri-implantation period.


METHODS
Markers of uterine receptivity, including integrins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analyses indicated that MIF induced a marked increase in alpha(v) (alphav), beta3 (beta3) integrin subunits and VEGF mRNA, and protein expression in the endometrium. The MIF (10 microg/mL) significantly increased the number of von Willebrand factor-stained microvessels, and a significant correlation between VEGF expression and the number of von Willebrand factor-stained vessels was observed. Moreover, a tendency for an enhanced pregnancy rate (PR) in MIF-treated mice was seen compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings reveal that after gestation, MIF may play an important role in endometrial receptivity and embryonic implantation.
Bondza
Patrick Kibangou
PK
Laboratoire d'Endocrinologie de la Reproduction, Centre de Recherche, Hôpital Saint-François d'Assise, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval Québec, QC, Canada.
Metz
Christine N
CN
Akoum
Ali
A
D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D016023:Integrins; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A