BACKGROUND The retinoic acid metabolizing enzyme Cyp26a1 plays a pivotal role in vertebrate embryo development. Cyp26a1 was characterized previously as a differentially expressed gene in peri-implantation rat uteri via suppressive subtracted hybridization analysis. However, the role of Cyp26a1 in rat embryo implantation remained elusive. METHODS The expression of Cyp26a1 in the uteri of early...

Human embryo invasion and implantation into the inner wall of the maternal uterus, the endometrium, is the pivotal process for a successful pregnancy. Whereas disruption of the endometrial epithelial layer was already correlated with the programmed cell death, the role of apoptosis of the subjacent endometrial stromal cells during implantation is indistinct. The aim was to clarify whether apopt...

The endothelins are signalling peptides that act via two receptors, ET(A) and ET(B). In the human endometrium, endothelin receptors have been demonstrated in glands and stroma and have been shown to vary during the course of the menstrual cycle. The present study was undertaken to determine whether or not expression of endothelin receptors changes during pregnancy or after administration of exo...

The extracellular Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaR) is a member of the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). It is an important mediator of a wide range of Ca2+-dependent physiological responses in various tissues. In reproductive tissues it has been reported to play a significant role in promoting or maintaining placentation. Meanwhile, another Ca2+ regulated gene stanniocalcin-1 (STC-...

Background: Matrix MetalloProteinases (MMPs) degrade extracellular matrix components to provide normal remodeling and contribute to pathological tissue destruction and cell migration in endometriosis. It is accepted that MMPs are resistant to suppression by progesterone in endometriotic tissues. The physiological effects of progesterone are mediated by its two progesterone receptor (PR) isoform...

Abstract Introduction: One of the contributing factors in ectopic pregnancy is genital infection. The self-treatment of genital infections is a common practice that results in infectious diseases, microbial resistance, and no patient recovery. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the self-treatment of genital infection and ectopic pregnancy. Materials and Method...

Ectopic thyroid tissue results from abnormal embryologic development and migration of the thyroid gland. True malignant transformation in ectopic thyroid tissue is extremely rare and is always diagnosed after surgical excision of the lesion by pathology examinations. There are well-documented cases of ectopic thyroid cancer while primary tumoral lesion occurs in the orthotopic thyroid, but only...

Infertility and adverse gynecological outcomes such as preeclampsia and miscarriage represent significant female reproductive health concerns. The spatiotemporal expression of growth factors indicates that they play an important role in pregnancy. The goal of this study is to define the role of the ERBB family of growth factor receptors in endometrial function. Using conditional ablation in mic...

Introduction: Ectopic teeth occur in a wide variety of sites, including the maxillary sinus, mandibular condyle, coronoid process, orbital, and nasal cavities. Reported symptoms and signs associated with nasal teeth include facial pain, external nasal deformities, foul-smelling rhinorrhea, recurrent epistaxis, and oronasal fistula. Ectopic teeth occurring bilaterally in the nasal cavity is ver...