title: Evidence for cross-talk between the LH receptor and LH during implantation in mice.
abstract: The present study investigated the first interaction that occurs between the blastocyst and endometrium during implantation. Given the ethical objections to studying implantation in humans, a mouse model was used to study the dialogue between luteinising hormone (LH) and luteinising hormone receptor (LHCGR). Several studies performed on LHCGR-knockout mice have generated controversy regarding the importance of the dialogue between LH and LHCGR during implantation. There has been no demonstration of a bioactive LH-like signal produced by the murine blastocyst. The first aim of the present study was to examine and quantify, using radioimmunoassay, the generation of a bioactive LH signal by the murine blastocyst. We went on to examine and quantify endometrial Lhcgr expression to validate the mouse model. Expression of LHCGR in mouse uteri was demonstrated using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. To quantify the expression of Lh in the mouse blastocyst and Lhcgr in the endometrium, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative (q) RT-PCR were performed. The results demonstrate that Lhcgr expression in BALB/c mouse endometrial epithelium is increased at the time of implantation and indicate that LHCGR may contribute to the implantation process. In support of this hypothesis, we identified a bioactive LH signal at the time of murine blastocyst implantation.
authors: University of Liege, Center of Immunology, Institute of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire B-23, 4000 Liege-Sart Tilman, Belgium. virginie.gridelet@ulg.ac.be
authors: Virginie
authors: V
authors: Gridelet
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Tsampalas
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Berndt
authors: Marie-Thérèse
authors: MT
authors: Hagelstein
authors: Chantal
authors: C
authors: Charlet-Renard
authors: Valérie
authors: V
authors: Conrath
authors: Fabien
authors: F
authors: Ectors
authors: Fabian
authors: F
authors: Hugé
authors: Carine
authors: C
authors: Munaut
authors: Jean-Michel
authors: JM
authors: Foidart
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: Geenen
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Perrier d'Hauterive
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004971:Estrus / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D037101:Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011247:Pregnancy; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; D037101:Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit; D011974:Receptors, LH