Understanding conceptus-maternal interactions: what tools do we need to develop?

Butt, Zenab; Tinning, Haidee; O'Connell, Mary J; Fenn, Jonathan; Alberio, Ramiro; Forde, Niamh

Abstract

Communication between the maternal endometrium and developing embryo/conceptus is critical to support successful pregnancy to term. Studying the peri-implantation period of pregnancy is critical as this is when most pregnancy loss occurs in cattle. Our current understanding of these interactions is limited, due to the lack of appropriate in vitro models to assess these interactions. The endometrium is a complex and heterogeneous tissue that is regulated in a transcriptional and translational manner throughout the oestrous cycle. While there are in vitro models to study endometrial function, they are static and 2D in nature or explant models and are limited in how well they recapitulate the in vivo endometrium. Recent developments in organoid systems, microfluidic approaches, extracellular matrix biology, and in silico approaches provide a new opportunity to develop in vitro systems that better model the in vivo scenario. This will allow us to investigate in a more high-throughput manner the fundamental molecular interactions that are required for successful pregnancy in cattle.

Citation

Butt, Z., Tinning, H., O'Connell, M. J., Fenn, J., Alberio, R., & Forde, N. (2023). Understanding conceptus-maternal interactions: what tools do we need to develop?. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 36(2), 81-92. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD23181

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Dec 15, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 17, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 24, 2023
• Deposit Date: Nov 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 6, 2024
• Journal: Reproduction, Fertility and Development
• Print ISSN: 1031-3613
• Electronic ISSN: 1448-5990
• Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 81-92
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/RD23181
• Keywords: endometrium, gene expression, in vitro models, in silico models, interferon tau, pregnancy, progesterone, uterus.
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/28994680
• Publisher URL: https://www.publish.csiro.au/RD/RD23181