Murine uterine gland branching is necessary for gland function in implantation.

Uterine glands are branched, tubular structures whose secretions are essential for pregnancy success. It is known that pre-implantation glandular expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is crucial for embryo implantation; however, the contribution of uterine gland structure to gland secretions, such as LIF, is not known. Here, we use mice deficient in estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) signaling to uncover the role of ESR1 signaling in gland branching and the role of a branched structure in LIF secretion and embryo implantation.

Murine uterine gland branching is necessary for gland function in implantation.

Uterine glands are branched, tubular structures whose secretions are essential for pregnancy success. It is known that pre-implantation glandular expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is crucial for embryo implantation, however contribution of uterine gland structure to gland secretions such as LIF is not known. Here we use mice deficient in estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) signaling to uncover the role of ESR1 signaling in gland branching and the role of a branched structure in LIF secretion and embryo implantation.