Identification of novel genes regulated by chorionic gonadotropin in baboon endometrium during the window of implantation.

Chorionic gonadotropin (CG) is an early embryo-derived signal that is known to support the corpus luteum. An in vivo baboon model was used to study the direct actions of human CG (hCG) on the endometrium, during the periimplantation period. Endometrial gene expression was analyzed using microarrays.

Decidualization regulates the expression of the endometrial chorionic gonadotropin receptor in the primate.

Chorionic gonadotropin (CG) plays an important role in establishing a receptive endometrium by directly modulating the function of both endometrial stromal and epithelial cells in the baboon. The focus of this study was to characterize changes in CG receptor (LHCGR, also known as CG-R) expression during the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy, particularly during decidualization. LHCGR was localized by using a peptide-specific antibody generated against the extracellular domain.

In vivo infusion of interleukin-1beta and chorionic gonadotropin induces endometrial changes that mimic early pregnancy events in the baboon.

Both human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and IL-1beta induce changes in the endometrium that are associated with the establishment of pregnancy. We investigated the synergistic effect of these two embryonic signals on endometrial function using a baboon model of simulated pregnancy. Recombinant hCG (30 IU/d) was infused between d 6 and 10 post ovulation (PO) to mimic blastocyst transit.

Chorionic gonadotropin and uterine dialogue in the primate.

Implantation is a complex spatio-temporal interaction between the growing embryo and the mother, where both players need to be highly synchronized to be able to establish an effective communication to ensure a successful pregnancy. Using our in vivo baboon model we have shown that Chorionic Gonadotropin (CG), as the major trophoblast derived signal, not only rescues the corpus luteum but also modulates the uterine environment in preparation for implantation. This response is characterized by an alteration in both the morphological and biochemical activity in the three major cell types: luminal and glandular epithelium and stromal fibroblasts.

Effect of leptin on progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin, and interleukin-6 secretion by human term trophoblast cells in culture.

Leptin, the 16-kDa protein product of the obese gene, was originally seen as an adipocyte-derived signaling molecule. Recently, it has been suggested to be involved in some functions during pregnancy, particularly in the placenta. In the present study, we investigated the role of leptin in the secretion of hCG, progesterone, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by human term trophoblast cells in culture.