Irx3 promotes gap junction communication between uterine stromal cells to regulate vascularization during embryo implantation†.

Appropriate embryo-uterine interactions are essential for implantation. Besides oocyte abnormalities, implantation failure is a major contributor to early pregnancy loss. Previously, we demonstrated that two members of the Iroquois homeobox transcription factor family, IRX3 and IRX5, exhibited distinct and dynamic expression profiles in the developing ovary to promote oocyte and follicle survival.