MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovariectomized adult female rats were given testosterone (1 mg/kg/day) alone or in combination with flutamide or finasteride between days 6 to 8 of sex-steroid replacement treatment, which was considered the period of uterine receptivity. Ultramorphology of tight junctions was visualized by transmission electron microscopy while distribution and expression of claudin-4 and occludin were examined by immunofluorescence and real-time polymerase chain reaction respectively.
RESULTS: Administration of testosterone caused loss of tight junction complexity and down-regulated expression of claudin-4 and occludin in the uterus.
CONCLUSION: Decreased endometrial tight junction complexity and expression of claudin-4 and occludin in the uterus during receptivity period by testosterone may interfere with embryo attachment and subsequent implantation.
METHODS: Female rats were treated with quercetin (10, 25 and 50mg/kg/day) subcutaneously beginning from day-1 pregnancy. Uterus was harvested at day-4 (following three days quercetin treatment) for morphological, ultra-structural, protein and mRNA expressional changes and plasma sex-steroid levels analyses. In another cohort of rats, implantation rate was determined at day-6 (following five days quercetin treatment).
RESULTS: Administration of 50mg/kg/day quercetin causes increased in uterine fluid volume and CFTR expression but decreased in γ-ENaC, AQP-5, AQP-9 claudin-4, occludin, E-cadherin, integrin αnβЗ, FGF, Ihh and Msx-1expression in the uterus. Pinopodes were poorly develop, tight junctions appear less complex and implantation rate decreased. Serum estradiol levels increased but serum progesterone levels decreased.
CONCLUSIONS: Interference in the fluid volume and receptivity development of the uterus during peri-implantation period by quercetin could adversely affect embryo implantation.