Insulin-like growth factors and blastocyst development

R. C.M. Simmen, Y. Ko, F. A. Simmen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The interactions between the maternal uterus and the developing conceptus that underlie normal blastocyst development and successful progression of pregnancy are complex. Recent studies implicate peptide growth factors in the initiation, establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and in maternal-embryonic communication. The insulin-like family of growth factors appear to function as key mediators of the coordinate development of the uterus and conceptus during early pregnancy by virtue of their ability to influence directly or indirectly, the synthesis and secretion of uterine and conceptus secretory proteins. The autocrine and paracrine modes of action of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are modulated within the uterine microenvironment by Type I IGF receptors and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), which are themselves subject to local control within the uterus and conceptus. An understanding of the mechanisms by which IGFs regulate and are regulated by, the expression of conceptus signals for maternal recognition of pregnancy may provide novel insights and practical applications towards increasing reproductive efficiency in large animals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)163-175
Number of pages13
JournalTheriogenology
Volume39
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1993 Jan
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • IGF
  • aromatase
  • blastocyst development
  • growth factors
  • pregnancy
  • uterus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Small Animals
  • Food Animals
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Equine

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