Differential expression and regulation of prostaglandin transporter and metabolic enzymes in mouse uterus during blastocyst implantation

Objective: To examine the spatiotemporal expression and regulation of prostaglandin transporter (PGT), 15-hydroxy-PG dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), and carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in the mouse uterus during embryo implantation and in related models. Design: Experimental animal study. Setting: University research laboratory. Animal(s): Sexually mature female Kunming strain white mice. Intervention(s): Delayed and activated implantation, artificial decidualization, and subcutaneous injection of progesterone (P) and E-2 in ovariectomized mouse. Main Outcome Measure(s): The expression of mRNA and protein were detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in mouse uterus. Result(s): Prostaglandin transporter mRNA and protein were expressed in the subluminal stroma at implantation site on day 5 of pregnancy and then in decidua but were not detected at the interimplantation sites and in preimplantation or pseudopregnant uterus. The presence of an active blastocyst was required for PGT expression at the implantation site. Both 15-PGDH and CBR1 mRNA were detected in glandular epithelium on day 4 of pregnancies. The expression of 15-PGDH and CBR1 mRNA was also detected in postimplantation embryos. Conclusion(s): These data suggest that differentially expressed PGT and 15-PGDH may participate in PG signaling in mouse uterus during implantation and decidualization.