Macromolecular changes in the mouse uterus during implantation and delay of implantation

Abstract

This thesis discusses aspects of implantation in the mouse and provides information on techniques for producing delay of implantation by ovariectomy, hormone replacement therapy for maintaining viable embryos and a hormone sequence for inducing implantation. An examination is made of representative uterine and uterine luminal fluid macromolecules. This examination provided no information to suggest that any of the macromolecules studied had any relationship to an inhibitory factor which could be responsible for embryonic diapause. Two high molecular weight uterine proteins are shown to be present during the normal pre-implantation period. The heavier protein appears not to be present during delay of implantation in either the uterus or the uterine fluid. The origin of these two proteins is discussed and it is suggested that they may represent two serum proteins though this identity is not established.