title: Fertile ground: human endometrial programming and lessons in health and disease.
abstract: The human endometrium is a highly dynamic tissue that is cyclically shed, repaired, regenerated and remodelled, primarily under the orchestration of oestrogen and progesterone, in preparation for embryo implantation. Humans are among the very few species that menstruate and that, consequently, are equipped with unique cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling these cyclic processes. Many reproductive pathologies are specific to menstruating species, and studies in animal models rarely translate to humans. Abnormal remodelling and regeneration of the human endometrium leads to a range of reproductive complications. Furthermore, the processes regulating endometrial remodelling and implantation, including those controlling hormonal impact, breakdown and repair, stem/progenitor cell activation, inflammation and cell invasion have broad applications to other fields. This Review presents current knowledge regarding the normal and abnormal function of the human endometrium. The development of biomarkers for prediction of uterine diseases and pregnancy disorders and future avenues of investigation to improve fertility and enhance endometrial function are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, 3168, Australia.|Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.|Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Jemma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, 3168, Australia.|Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Lois A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Salamonsen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, 3168, Australia.|Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winship
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, 3168, Australia.|Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Menkhorst
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, 3168, Australia.|Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.|Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Guiying
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.|The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Gargett
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, 3168, Australia.|Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.|Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dimitriadis
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006175:Gynatresia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology; D064307:Microbiota; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012038:Regeneration; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D013234:Stem Cells; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology