自噬抑制剂3-MA对围着床期小鼠子宫胚胎着床的影响

该文探索了自噬抑制剂3-MA对围着床期小鼠子宫胚胎着床的影响。将成年昆明雌性小鼠随机分为对照组、3-MA低剂量组(15 mmol/L)和3-MA高剂量组(30 mmol/L)。自小鼠孕D1起,腹腔注射自噬抑制剂3-MA,直到处死,以腹腔注射PBS作为对照。收集孕D4、D5、D6子宫内膜组织,Western blot检测自噬抑制剂3-MA注射后自噬相关因子Atg5和LC3蛋白表达,形态学观察对照组和3-MA自噬抑制剂组胚胎着床点数量。Real-time PCR检测Cathepsin B、P62、孕激素受体(PR)和雌激素受体α(ERα)m RNA在孕D5子宫内膜的表达。免疫组化检测PR在孕D5子宫内膜的表达。结果显示,在自噬抑制剂3-MA的作用下,自噬相关因子Atg5、LC3蛋白在孕D4~D6小鼠子宫中的表达量明显降低,Cathepsin B、P62 m RNA在孕D5小鼠子宫中的表达显著降低。注射3-MA自噬抑制剂后,孕D6小鼠着床点(IS)数量比正常组明显减少。在孕D5小鼠子宫内膜着床旁(IIS)和着床点中,自噬抑制剂3-MA干预组PR的蛋白质表达量明显降低,PR和ERαm RNA表达量均显著降低,随着3-MA抑制剂剂量的升高,PR和ERαm RNA表达降低得更显著。结果表明,自噬抑制剂3-MA可能会对小鼠胚胎着床时子宫内膜容受性产生影响,其机制有待进一步研究。     

CD63/ME491在植入前小鼠胚胎及延迟着床小鼠子宫的表达

目的 研究肿瘤转移抑制因子CD63/ME491 mRNA和蛋白在植入前小鼠胚胎及延迟着床小鼠子宫中的表达规律,探讨其在胚胎着床过程中的作用以及雌激素对其表达的调节.方法 应用RT-PCR、免疫荧光、免疫组化技术观察CD63/ME491 mRNA和蛋白的表达规律.结果 在植入前小鼠胚胎中均有CD63/ME491 mRNA及其蛋白表达.CD63/ME491 mRNA在桑葚胚及囊胚期表达较丰富,CD63/ME491蛋白表达于各期胚胎细胞的胞膜和胞浆;CD63/ME491 mRNA在延迟着床小鼠子宫均有表达,但从D5到D8呈下降趋势,雌二醇(E2)激活后mRNA的表达显著上升(P<0.05).CD63/ME491蛋白在延迟着床D5弱表达于上皮下基质细胞,D6～8表达不明显,E2激活后该蛋白明显表达于上皮下基质细胞的胞膜和胞浆.结论 1. CD63/ME491在植入前小鼠胚胎中呈动态表达,提示它参与了胚胎的发育过程;2. CD63/ME491在小鼠子宫中的表达可能受雌激素调节.     

eNOS/NO途径在单侧输尿管梗阻小鼠肾间质微血管病变中的作用与机制

目的探讨内皮型一氧化氮合酶(endothelial nitric oxide synthase,e NOS)和一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)在单侧输尿管梗阻(unilateral ureteral obstruction,UUO)肾间质纤维化小鼠微血管病变中的作用及机制。方法64只KM小鼠随机分为两组:假手术组n=32只;单侧输尿管梗阻UUO组n=32只。观察4周,每周检测各组小鼠血BUN、Scr及一氧化氮,流式细胞计数外周血CD133+/VEGFR+内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs)、Masson染色观察肾组织形态学变化,免疫组化法检测肾间质CD34+表达计数微血管密度,实时定量PCR检测肾皮质e NOS、VEGF mRNA表达。结果 UUO组血一氧化氮、内皮祖细胞计数、肾间质微血管密度、e NOS、VEGF mRNA表达水平持续下降,在第2、3、4周与对照组差异有统计学意义。一氧化氮水平与肾间质微血管密度呈正相关(r=0.715,P0.05);e NOS mRNA表达水平与肾间质微血管密度(r=0.624,P0.05)、内皮祖细胞计数(r=0.375,P0.05)、VEGF mRNA(r=0.351,P0.05)呈正相关。结论 e NOS/NO途径参与了UUO小鼠肾间质微血管的调节,其调节涉及对血管舒张功能影响、介导促血管肾脏因子VEGF mRNA表达及动员内皮祖细胞等机制。     

一氧化氮抑制AngⅡ介导的心肌肥大反应的信号机制

本文主要利用培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞,从细胞学及分子生物学角度研究一氧化氮（NO）信号系统在AngⅡ介导的心肌肥大反应中的作用及机制。实验以心肌细胞蛋白合成速率、心房钠尿肽（ANP）的表达作为心肌肥大反应的指标,以硝酸盐及亚硝酸盐含量反映心肌细胞NO水平,以免疫印迹法测定MKP－1蛋白表达,以RT－PCR测定eNOS mRNA水平。结果发现：（1）L－精氨酸（L－Arg)10,100μmol/L分别增加心肌细胞NO水平16％及31％,L－Arg(100μmol/L）还可增加心肌细胞eNOS mRNA表达,其作用可被NOS抑制剂L－NAME所抑制;（2）L－Arg(100μmol/L）可降低AngⅡ(0.1μmol/L）诱导的心肌细胞ANP mRNA表达水平和蛋白合成速率,而在L－Arg处理之前用针对MKP－1的反义寡核苷酸转染心肌细胞,蛋白合成速率明显增加,可取消L－Arg的抑制作用,甚至超过AngⅡ组;（3）L－Arg(100μmol/L）明显增加MKP－1蛋白表达,比对照组增加225％,NOS抑制剂L－NAME及蛋白激酶G（PKG）抑制剂KT－5823皆可抑制L－Arg诱导的MKP－1蛋白表达,分别抑制88％、83％,而AngⅡ能增加L－Arg诱导的MKP－1的表达,较对照组增加365％,增强了L－Arg的作用。以上结果表明,NO抑制AngⅡ介导心肌肥大反应的机制可能是通过激活PKG,促进MKP－1的表达,从而增加MAPK去磷酸化实现的。     

血管生长抑素在小鼠胚泡中的调节作用

血管生长抑素（angiostatin,AS）是一种新血管生成的抑制蛋白,它可以有效抑制内皮细胞的增殖、迁移和管状形态的产生,是肿瘤转移的有效抑制剂.肿瘤转移和胚胎植入具有惊人的相似性,AS对小鼠胚胎植入是否有作用迄今尚无报道.采用体外培养、RT-PCR和蛋白质印迹等多种方法研究了AS对小鼠胚泡中血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）及其受体KDR、基质金属蛋白酶(MMPs)及其组织抑制剂(TIMPs)的影响.研究显示,AS下调了VEGF及其受体KDR、MMP-2和MMP-9的表达,而上调了TIMP-1和TIMP-2的表达.应用整合素αVβ3的特异性抑制剂Echistatin与AS共同处理胚泡,结果显示,Echistatin减弱了AS对MMP-2的下调作用及对TIMP-2的上调作用.以上结果提示：AS可能通过与整合素αVβ3相互作用调节胚泡中VEGF、MMPs和TIMPs的表达,从而影响胚泡的植入过程.     

Caveolin-1在围植入期小鼠子宫内膜组织中的动态变化

目的检测caveolin-1在胚胎植入过程中小鼠子宫内膜组织中的表达,探讨其在胚胎植入过程中的作用。方法选择成年雌性昆明小白鼠42只,随机均分为7组(处于动情期的未孕组、妊娠3.5天组、妊娠4.5天组、妊娠5.5天组、妊娠6.5天组、妊娠7.5天组、妊娠9天组),采用免疫组织化学和RT-PCR方法检测子宫内膜组织中caveolin-1蛋白及mRNA水平在围植入期的变化。结果 (1)caveolin-1在胚胎植入前期(0d、3.5d)小鼠子宫内膜组织中的表达高于胚胎植入期(4.5d、5.5d、6.5d),差异有显著性(P<0.05)。(2)caveolin-1在胚胎植入后期(7.5d、9d)小鼠子宫内膜组织中的表达高于胚胎植入期(4.5d、5.5d、6.5d),差异有显著性(P<0.05)。(3)caveolin-1在胚胎植入后期小鼠子宫内膜组织中的表达略高于胚胎植入前期,但差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论 Caveolin-1在胚胎植入前期和后期均高表达,植入期低表达。这种变化提示caveolin-1是影响胚胎植入的重要因素之一。     

蛋白激酶C在血管紧张素Ⅱ抑制心肌细胞一氧化氮合成中的作用

实验用硝酸还原酶法测定培养新生大鼠心肌细胞亚硝酸盐 (NO 2 )和硝酸盐 (NO 3)总量 (NO 2 /NO 3) ,反映心肌细胞一氧化氮 (NO)生成情况 ,观察血管紧张素Ⅱ (AngⅡ )对心肌细胞NO生成的影响及其蛋白激酶C (PKC)在该效应中的作用。结果显示 :AngⅡ可减少心肌细胞NO的含量 ,并具有明显的剂量 效应关系 ;AngⅡ受体拮抗剂saralasin可明显抑制AngⅡ对NO生成的影响 ;L 精氨酸 (L Arg)明显增加心肌细胞NO的浓度 ,此效应可被一氧化氮合酶 (NOS)抑制剂L NAME所抑制 ,L Arg未能消除AngⅡ抑制NO的作用 ;用佛波酯 (PMA)处理心肌细胞 ,其NO的生成明显减少 ,L NAME可加强此抑制效应 ;PKC抑制剂staurosporine (Stau)可明显削弱AngⅡ抑制心肌细胞NO生成的效应。结果提示 :AngⅡ具有抑制心肌细胞NO生成的作用 ,此作用可能是通过抑制心肌细胞NOS的活性而实现的 ;AngⅡ受体介导AngⅡ抑制心肌细胞NO生成的作用 ;激活PKC可使新生大鼠心肌细胞NO生成减少 ,NOS参与此抑制效应 ,新生大鼠心肌细胞NO生成过程的信号转导通路可能与PKC有关 ;PKC参与AngⅡ抑制心肌细胞NO的生成。     

鞘内注射神经激肽-1受体激动剂Sar-SP增强大鼠脊髓一氧化氮合酶表达和一氧化氮生成

探讨P物质(substance P,SP)对脊髓一氧化氮合酶(nitric oxide synthase,NOS)表达和一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)生成的影响。实验用热甩尾法测定大鼠痛阈的变化,分别应用NADPH-d组织化学法和硝酸还原法测定大鼠脊髓内NOS表达和NO生成的变化。结果显示,鞘内注射神经激肽-1受体(neurokinin-1 receptor,NK-1)激动剂[Sar^9,Met(O2)^11]-substance P(Sar-SP)可使大鼠痛阈降低,脊髓后角浅层和中央管周围灰质内NOS表达增强,脊髓腰膨大部位NO生成增多;预先鞘内注射非选择性NK-1受体拮抗剂[D—Arg^1,D-Trp^7,9,Leu^11]-substance P(spantide)可抑制上述变化。结果表明,SP可促进脊髓内NOS表达和NO生成。     

前蛋白转换酶Furin和PC7在小鼠母胎界面的动态表达及其在胚胎粘附和扩展中的作用

通过免疫组化、免疫荧光和小鼠胚胎-子宫内膜上皮细胞共培养体系,研究了前蛋白转换酶Proprotein Convertases (PCs)家族中的Furin和PC7在小鼠妊娠早期子宫和胚胎中的表达及对胚胎植入的影响.结果显示:Furin和PC7在妊娠D1-D4小鼠子宫的腺上皮和D5-D7小鼠子宫的蜕膜、腺上皮高表达;PC7在植入前胚胎的2-细胞和4-细胞期表达很低,8-细胞期表达开始增加,囊胚期滋养外胚层有显著的高表达.Furin的抑制剂Dec-RVKR-CMK可显著抑制共培养体系中胚胎的粘附和扩展.以上结果表明,Furin在植入期胚胎的粘附和扩展中发挥重要作用.此外,Furin和PC7可能参与子宫内膜蜕膜化和早期胚胎发育.     

EDDS对Cd胁迫下三叶鬼针草幼苗NO产生的影响

【摘要】通过室内盆栽试验, 研究了40 mg·kg-1 Cd(CdCl2·2.5 H2O)胁迫下, 不同浓度乙二胺二琥珀酸(EDDS)(0、0.5、1.5、2.5、5.0 mmol·L-1)单施及EDDS与一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)(0、0.25、0.5、1.0 mmol·L-1)联合施加对三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa L.)幼苗应激信号分子NO产生量和一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性的影响。结果表明: 单施EDDS, 植株不同部位NO生成量随EDDS浓度的升高呈增加趋势, 5.0 mmol·L-1时达到最大; 0.5 mmol·L-1的EDDS可增强根、叶中NOS活性。在探究NO产生较多和NOS活性增强显著的EDDS处理浓度与SNP联合施加的研究中发现, 随SNP浓度的升高, 根中NO生成量先升高后降低, 茎和叶中持续升高; 适宜浓度的SNP可进一步增强植株体内NOS活性。EDDS诱导NO的生成会被硝酸还原酶(NR)抑制剂(NaN3)和NOS抑制剂(L-NAME)抑制, 对EDDS处理下NOS活性影响较小。NO清除剂(c-PTIO)能有效清除部分NO, 增强根和叶中NOS活性。因此, 在Cd胁迫下, 适宜浓度的EDDS单施及与SNP联合施加都会增加三叶鬼针草幼苗体内NO产生量。     

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factors in the peri-implantation mouse uterus is regulated in a cell-specific and ovarian steroid hormone-dependent manner. Evidence for differential function of HIFs during early pregnancy

Increased uterine vascular permeability and angiogenesis are hallmarks of implantation and placentation. These events are profoundly influenced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We previously showed that VEGF isoforms and VEGF receptors are expressed in the uterus, suggesting the role of VEGF in uterine vascular permeability and angiogenesis required for implantation and decidualization. We have recently shown that estrogen promotes uterine vascular permeability but inhibits angiogenesis, whereas progesterone stimulates angiogenesis with little effect on vascular permeability. However, the mechanism of differential steroid hormonal regulation of uterine angiogenesis remains unresolved. Oxygen homeostasis is essential for cell survival and is primarily mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). These factors are intimately associated with vascular events and induce VEGF expression by binding to the hypoxia response element in the VEGF promoter. HIFalpha isoforms function by forming heterodimers with the aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator (ARNT) (HIF-beta) family members. There is very limited information on the relationship among HIFs, ARNTs, and VEGF in the uterus during early pregnancy, although the role of HIFs in regulating VEGF and angiogenesis in cancers is well documented. Using molecular and physiological approaches, we here show that uterine expression of HIFs and ARNTs does not correlate with VEGF expression during the preimplantation period (days 1-4) in mice. In contrast, their expression follows the localization of uterine VEGF expression with increasing angiogenesis during the postimplantation period (days 5-8). This disparate pattern of uterine HIFs, ARNTs, and VEGF expression on days 1-4 of pregnancy suggests HIFs have multiple roles in addition to the regulation of angiogenesis during the peri-implantation period. Using pharmacological, molecular, and genetic approaches, we also observed that although progesterone primarily up-regulates uterine HIF-1alpha expression, estrogen transiently stimulates that of HIF-2alpha.     

Embryo spacing and implantation timing are differentially regulated by LPA3-mediated lysophosphatidic acid signaling in mice

In polytocous animals, blastocysts are evenly distributed along each uterine horn and implant. The molecular mechanisms underlying these precise events remain elusive. We recently showed that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has critical roles in the establishment of early pregnancy by affecting embryo spacing and subsequent implantation through its receptor, LPA3. Targeted deletion of Lpa3 in mice resulted in delayed implantation and embryo crowding, which is associated with a dramatic decrease in the prostaglandins and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 expression levels. Exogenous administration of prostaglandins rescued the delayed implantation but did not rescue the defects in embryo spacing, suggesting the role of prostaglandins in implantation downstream of LPA3 signaling. In the present study, to know how LPA3 signaling regulates the embryo spacing, we determined the time course distribution of blastocysts during the preimplantation period. In wild-type (WT) uteri, blastocysts were distributed evenly along the uterine horns at Embryonic Day 3.8 (E3.8), whereas in the Lpa3-deficient uteri, they were clustered in the vicinity of the cervix, suggesting that the mislocalization and resulting crowding of the embryos are the cause of the delayed implantation. However, embryos transferred singly into E2.5 pseudopregnant Lpa3-deficient uterine horns still showed delayed implantation but on-time implantation in WT uteri, indicating that embryo spacing and implantation timing are two segregated events. We also found that an LPA3-specific agonist induced rapid uterine contraction in WT mice but not in Lpa3-deficient mice. Because the uterine contraction is critical for embryo spacing, our results suggest that LPA3 signaling controls embryo spacing via uterine contraction around E3.5.     

Dynamic distribution of epidermal growth factor during mouse embryo peri-implantation

Embryo implantation depends on the synchronized development of the blastocyst and the endometrium. This process is highly controlled by the coordinated action of the steroid hormones: estrogen and progesterone. By autocrine, paracrine or juxtacrine routes, some growth factors or cytokines are involved in this steroidal regulation pathway. Here we report the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on embryo implantation in the mouse, the expression and distribution patterns of EGF protein in the mouse blastocyst, ectoplacental cone (EPC) and peri-implantation uterus on days 1-8 of gestation.By RT-PCR and dot blot, we found that EGF and its receptor (EGFR) are co-expressed in the blastocyst and peri-implantational uteri of pregnant days 2-8 (D2-D8) mice. Injection of EGF antibody into a uterine horn on the third day of pregnancy (D3) significantly reduced the number of mouse embryos that implanted on D8, indicating EGF have a function in the mouse embryo implantation.Further investigation by using indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscope was made to trace EGF and EGFR protein localization during the mouse embryo implantation. EGF and EGFR are co-localized in the blastocyst, and in the secondary trophoblastic giant cells (SGC) of the EPC. At the pre-implantation stage, the distribution of EGF protein in the mouse uterus changes from epithelium to stroma. On D1 of pregnancy, EGF is mainly distributed in uterine stroma and myometrium. On D2, it is present in the uterine epithelium. On D3, it changes again from the uterine epithelium to the stroma. By D4, EGF is predominantly in the stroma. This dynamic distribution correlates with the proliferation activity of uterine cells at each period. On D6-D8 of embryo implantation, EGF 3 protein accumulates at the uterine mesometrial pole, a region that contributes to the trophoblastic invasiveness and placentation.This temporal and spatial localization of EGF protein in the mouse uterus implicates the cytokine in the regulation of trophoblastic invasiveness and uterine receptiveness.     

Profiling of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and Ca(2+) in embryo-uterine interactions at implantation

Establishment of early pregnancy is promoted by a complex network of signalling molecules that mediate cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix communications between the receptive endometrium and the invasive trophectoderm. In this study, we have attempted to evaluate the expression profiles of cadherin and catenin during embryo implantation in the mouse. Western blotting studies along with immunocytochemical analysis revealed that E-cadherin is expressed rather ubiquitously in the uterine epithelial cells, distinct enrichment is observed on the apical membrane in the endometrium of peri-implantation uterus specifically at the implantation sites and not at the inter-implanation sites. beta-Catenin also is upregulated and is specifically restricted to apical membrane of epithelial cells of implantation sites. Progesterone induced expression of E-cadherin and 17beta-estradiol regulated the expression of catenin in implantation-delayed uteri. Interestingly, estradiol imparted negative modulation on cadherin expression when co-administered with progesterone. On the contrary, trophoblast exhibits a striking down regulation of cadherin, catenin and Ca(2+) at peri implanting stage. These observations suggest that the trophoblasts exhibited an invasive phenotype while the endometrial epithelium displayed an adhesive phenotype during the window of implantation. Thus, embryo implantation presents an instance where two interacting surfaces showed mutually complementing interaction phenotypes.     

Increased appearance of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the uterus and embryo at implantation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of iNOS in the murine uterus and embryo at implantation. Western blot analysis showed the presence of a 130-kDa band with strong reactivity to anti-iNOS antibody in the pre- and peri-implantation stage uteri. This band was faint in the postimplantation uteri. Immunocytochemical studies showed a heavy localization of iNOS specifically on the apical cells of the uterine endometrium in the pre- and peri-implantation stages. But the postimplantation uteri showed resorbed endometrium showing weaker expression of iNOS. The iNOS was induced by estrogen and the induction was intensified when progesterone was given along with estrogen. This truly mimics the in vivo situation since implantation in mice occurs when an estrogen surge occurs on a background of progesterone. The embryos too express iNOS at the peri-implantation stage. We suggest that iNOS expressed at peri-implantation would lead to enhanced NO production, which could act as a vasodilator and an angiogenic mediator. These effects could promote the attachment of the blastocyst to the uterus.     

The effect of anandamide on uterine nitric oxide synthase activity depends on the presence of the blastocyst

Nitric oxide production, catalyzed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), should be strictly regulated to allow embryo implantation. Thus, our first aim was to study NOS activity during peri-implantation in the rat uterus. Day 6 inter-implantation sites showed lower NOS activity (0.19±0.01 pmoles L-citrulline mg prot(-1) h(-1)) compared to days 4 (0.34±0.03) and 5 (0.35±0.02) of pregnancy and to day 6 implantation sites (0.33±0.01). This regulation was not observed in pseudopregnancy. Both dormant and active blastocysts maintained NOS activity at similar levels. Anandamide (AEA), an endocannabinoid, binds to cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2), and high concentrations are toxic for implantation and embryo development. Previously, we observed that AEA synthesis presents an inverted pattern compared to NOS activity described here. We adopted a pharmacological approach using AEA, URB-597 (a selective inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase, the enzyme that degrades AEA) and receptor selective antagonists to investigate the effect of AEA on uterine NOS activity in vitro in rat models of implantation. While AEA (0.70±0.02 vs 0.40±0.04) and URB-597 (1.08±0.09 vs 0.83±0.06) inhibited NOS activity in the absence of a blastocyst (pseudopregnancy) through CB2 receptors, AEA did not modulate NOS on day 5 pregnant uterus. Once implantation begins, URB-597 decreased NOS activity on day 6 implantation sites via CB1 receptors (0.25±0.04 vs 0.40±0.05). While a CB1 antagonist augmented NOS activity on day 6 inter-implantation sites (0.17±0.02 vs 0.27±0.02), a CB2 antagonist decreased it (0.17±0.02 vs 0.12±0.01). Finally, we described the expression and localization of cannabinoid receptors during implantation. In conclusion, AEA levels close to and at implantation sites seems to modulate NOS activity and thus nitric oxide production, fundamental for implantation, via cannabinoid receptors. This modulation depends on the presence of the blastocyst. These data establish cannabinoid receptors as an interesting target for the treatment of implantation deficiencies.     

Cell-type-specific expression of transforming growth factor-alpha in the mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period.

Immunohistochemistry as well as in situ and Northern blot hybridization were employed to determine temporal and cell-type-specific expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in the mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period. The co-localization of TGF-alpha (by immunohistochemistry) with its mRNA (by in situ hybridization) in the luminal and glandular epithelia on Days 1-4 of pregnancy (Day 1 = vaginal plug) and also in many stromal cells on Days 3 and 4 indicates that these cells are the primary sites of TGF-alpha synthesis during the preimplantation period. The higher levels of TGF-alpha mRNA in total uterine RNA on Day 4, as shown by Northern blotting, is consistent with the recruitment of stromal cells expressing this gene. During the post-implantation period (Days 5-8), the co-localization of the mRNA and protein in the decidua at the implantation sites suggests that the decidualizing stromal cells synthesize TGF-alpha. Although in situ hybridization showed the presence of mRNA in embryos on Days 5-8, immunostaining was noted in the embryo only on Days 5 and 6. These results suggest that uterine and embryonic expression of TGF-alpha during the peri-implantation period could be involved in embryonic development, preparation of the uterus for implantation, and decidualization.