[Effects of catgut embedding at "Shimen" (CV 5) on the endometrial receptivity during the periimplantation period in mice].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of catgut embedding (CE) at "Shimen" (CV 5) on the endometrial receptivity, pinopodes expression of the endometrial surface and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) immunoactivity during periimplantation period.


METHODS
Thirty Kunming mice were randomly divided into control, CE of "Shimen" (CV 5, CE-CV 5) and medication groups (n = 10/group). For mice of CE-CV 5 group, a piece of catgut was embedded into the subcutaneous tissue of "Shimen" (CV 5) on the day when the vagina-discharged epistom was found (pregnancy day 1, Pd 1). On Pd 4, mifepristone (0.1 mL, diluted in propylene glycol) was subcutaneously injected into CV 5 in rats of medication group. The expression of endometrial pinopodes (sampled on Pd 5) was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The immunoactivity of LIF of the endometrium was detected by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Compared with control group, the mean optical density (OD) values of LIF in CE-CV 5 and medication groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05), suggesting an downregulation of the endometrial LIF expression. No significant difference was found between CE-CV 5 and medication group in LIF expression (P > 0.05). Electronic microscopic observation showed (1) abundant mature pinopodes on the endometrial surface, with a large number of well-stacked ecphyma in control group; (2) fewer pinopodes and well-arranged smooth epithelial cells on the endometrial surface in catgut embedding group; and (3) no pinopodes found in the endometrium of medication group.


CONCLUSIONS
Catgut embedding at "Shimen" (CV 5) can suppress the establishment of the mouse endometrial receptivity, which is possibly related to its effect in inhibiting the expression of endometrial pinopodes and LIF.
Zhang
Ou
O
Institute of Acu-moxibustion and Massage, Liaoning University of Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110032, China. zhangouln@163.com
Li
Hui
H
Wang
Wei
W
Zheng
Li-yan
LY
D000818:Animals; D002398:Catgut; D004717:Endometrium / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D011247:Pregnancy; D011897:Random Allocation
D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor