title: Expression of galectin-3 in mouse endometrium and its effect during embryo implantation.
abstract: This study investigated the expression pattern of galectin-3 (Gal-3) in mouse endometrium during early pregnancy and its function during embryo implantation. The expression of Gal-3 was measured at the mRNA level using real-time PCR and at the protein level using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The expression of Gal-3 mRNA and protein in the pregnant group was higher than in the non-pregnant group, and mRNA and protein expression reached their maximum levels on days 4 and 2, respectively. Immunohistochemistry results showed that Gal-3 protein presented in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium and reached its maximum on days 6–8 and days 2–4 after pregnancy, respectively. The number of embryos implanted decreased substantially when Gal-3 was knocked down in mouse endometrium. In conclusion, increased Gal-3 expression after pregnancy is required for embryo implantation.
authors: Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.
authors: Huan
authors: H
authors: Yang
authors: Caixia
authors: C
authors: Lei
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015536:Down-Regulation; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000235:genetics*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020868:Gene Silencing; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D034622:RNA Interference; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D037502:Galectin 3