Prominin proteins in uterine epithelial cells during normal and ovarian hyperstimulated pregnancy

Abstract

The interaction between luminal uterine epithelial cells (UECs) and the implanting blastocyst is crucial for the initiation of pregnancy. The UECs only permit blastocyst attachment to their apical surface during a narrow period, after specific hormonal conditioning. To prepare for this time of uterine receptivity, the UECs undergo a range of changes termed “The Plasma Membrane Transformation, which results in the development of an epithelium that is permissive of blastocyst attachment and invasion. This thesis investigated the potential involvement of a recently discovered protein family, the prominins, in The Plasma Membrane Transformation. The studies within this thesis demonstrated changes in prominin-1 & -2 abundance, localisation and glycosylation during The Plasma Membrane Transformation, suggesting an important role for these proteins in the development of uterine receptivity. This thesis also examined the effect of abnormal hormonal conditions, resulting from ovarian hyperstimulation (OH), on the development of uterine receptivity. Using a recently-developed rat OH model, this thesis demonstrated a broad disruption of The Plasma Membrane Transformation after OH treatment. Since The Plasma Membrane Transformation is essential for the development of a receptive uterine epithelium, it is argued that this disruption may be responsible for the reduction in blastocyst implantation rates after OH treatment.