Effects of androgen on embryo implantation in the mouse delayed-implantation model.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of androgen on implantation and decidualization in the mouse delayed-implantation model.


METHODS
Experimental animal study.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Sexually mature female mice (Kunming White strain).


METHODS
Delayed and activated implantation; pseudopregnancy; embryo transfer (ET); E(2) assay; inhibitor.


METHODS
Effects of androgen on embryo implantation were determined by treating the mice under delayed implantation with different doses of testosterone propionate (TP); the effects of androgen on the expression of implantation-related genes were examined by in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
Delayed implantation could be initiated by TP. Dihydrotestosterone was also able to initiate implantation in the delayed-implantation model. The implantation window could be maintained for at least 48 hours by 5 mg TP per mouse. Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPtges) were aberrantly expressed in mouse uterus at implantation sites after delayed implantation was activated by high doses of TP.


CONCLUSIONS
A low dose of TP led to a delay in embryo implantation, but a high dose caused aberrant expression of both Ptgs2 and mPtges at the implantation site. It is possible that high doses of TP may disturb peri-implantation development or may be involved in early pregnancy loss by disturbing the uterine prostaglandin system.
College of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Hong-Lu
HL
Diao
Ren-Wei
RW
Su
Hui-Ning
HN
Tan
Shi-Jie
SJ
Li
Wei
W
Lei
Weng-Bo
WB
Deng
Zeng-Ming
ZM
Yang
D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D021461:Animals, Outbred Strains; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics; D010065:Embryo Implantation, Delayed; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D011247:Pregnancy; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D043343:Testosterone Propionate / Q000502:physiology; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology
D000728:Androgens; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases; D043343:Testosterone Propionate