title: Biogenic monoamines in preimplantation development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The involvement of biogenic monoamines in early ('preneural') embryogenesis has been well documented in lower vertebrates, but much less information is available about the role of these molecules in the earliest stages of development in mammals, including humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases (PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus) were searched for studies relating to biogenic monoamines functioning in early embryos. The available data on the expression of histamine, serotonin and adrenergic receptors during mammalian preimplantation development were summarized, and the potential roles of biogenic monoamines in very early pregnancy were discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The roles of biogenic monoamines in mammalian preimplantation embryo development can be diverse, depending on the embryo developmental stage, and the physiological status of the maternal organism. Several receptors for biogenic monoamines are expressed and biologically functional in cells of preimplantation embryos. Activation of histamine receptors can play a role in embryo implantation and trophoblast invasion. Activation of adrenergic and serotonin receptors can influence proliferation and survival of early embryonic cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biogenic monoamines can play an important role in physiological conditions, contributing to embryo-maternal interactions, or can influence the early embryo under unfavorable or pathological conditions (e.g. in maternal stress, or in women taking certain antidepressants, anti-migraine or anti-ulcer drugs).
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia. cikos@saske.sk
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cikos
authors.forename: Dusan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fabian
authors.forename: Alexander V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Makarevich
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chrenek
authors.forename: Juraj
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koppel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D017982:Receptors, Biogenic Amine / Q000378:metabolism; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D017982:Receptors, Biogenic Amine