Uterine Endometrial Function

This book focuses on uterine endometrial function and receptivity from multiple perspectives. The chapters cover a variety of topics including the role of estrogen and progesterone, animal models, parameters for assessing endometrial receptivity, the mechanism of angiogenesis, epigenetic regulation, and stem/progenitor cells. Despite nearly 35 years of experience with in vitro fertilization, the rate of successful implantations remains low. Abnormal endometrial receptivity has been proposed as one of the factors contributing to reduced reproductive potential in women, but our understanding of it is limited. Endometrial receptivity results from an orchestrated interplay between the embryo and the maternal endometrium, and the receptive status, known as the window of implantation, is reached only briefly in the mid-luteal phase. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in endometrial function and paves the way for innovative treatments and drug development for infertility. This work will appeal to a wide readership, from researchers on endometrial function and assisted reproductive technology (ART) to clinicians and technicians in the field of gynecology. Front Matter....Pages i-vii ERα Signal Pathways Regulating Bcl-2 Transcription in Human Endometrial Glands....Pages 1-9 Uterine Receptivity in Mouse Embryo Implantation....Pages 11-25 Assessing Receptivity of the Human Endometrium to Improve Outcomes of Fertility Treatment....Pages 27-47 Role of Circulating Blood Cells in Maternal Tissue Remodeling and Embryo-Maternal Cross Talk....Pages 49-60 Functional Role of Uterine Natural Killer Cells....Pages 61-81 Regulation of Angiogenesis in the Human Endometrium....Pages 83-103 Oxidative Stress and Its Implications in Endometrial Function....Pages 105-123 Decidualization and Epigenetic Regulation....Pages 125-137 Stem/Progenitor Cells in the Human Endometrium....Pages 139-155