title: Soluble ligands and their receptors in human embryo development and implantation.
abstract: Extensive evidence suggests that soluble ligands and their receptors mediate human preimplantation embryo development and implantation. Progress in this complex area has been ongoing since the 1980s, with an ever-increasing list of candidates. This article specifically reviews evidence of soluble ligands and their receptors in the human preimplantation stage embryo and female reproductive tract. The focus will be on candidates produced by the human preimplantation embryo and those eliciting developmental responses in vitro, as well as endometrial factors related to implantation and receptivity. Pathways to clinical translation, including innovative diagnostics and other technologies, are also highlighted, drawing from this collective evidence toward facilitating joint improvements in embryo quality and endometrial receptivity. This strategy could not only benefit clinical outcomes in reproductive medicine but also provide broader insights into the peri-implantation period of human development to improve fetal and neonatal health.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Biology and Assisted Conception Laboratory (G.A.T., M.P.G., D.K.G.), School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3010; Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (F.D., F.V., C.S.), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, 46010, Valencia, Spain; La Fundación para la Investigación del Hospital Clínico de la Comunidad Valenciana Health Research Institute (F.D., F.V., C.S.), 46010 Valencia, Spain; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (C.S.), Stanford University, Stanford, California 90095.
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Thouas
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dominguez
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vilella
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D016207:Cytokines; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium; D005187:Fallopian Tubes; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances; D006728:Hormones; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D035683:MicroRNAs; D011247:Pregnancy; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D006728:Hormones; D008024:Ligands; D035683:MicroRNAs; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor