Vol.30 No.3 (2008 June): 342-346

Regulation and Function of Prostaglandins during Embryo Implantation and Decidualization

Weng-Bo Deng¹, Zeng-Ming Yang^1,2*

(¹College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; ²College of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China)

Abstract Prostaglandins are essential for mammalian female reproduction. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is mainly expressed in the stromal cells surrounding the implanting blastocyst, mediates the process of implantation and decidualization. Prostaglandin E₂ derived from COX-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 is important for implantation and decidualization. Prostaglandin I₂ from uterus plays a key role in embryo implantation via its nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ. Prostaglandin transporter in cell membrane provides the growing requirement for prostaglandins during implantation and decidualization, and maintains the metabolic balance of prostaglandins.

Key words cyclooxygenase-2; microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ; prostaglandin transporter

Received: November 12, 2007 Accepted: March 10, 2008
*Corresponding author. Tel: 86-592-2186823, E-mail: zmyang@xmu.edu.cn