Figure 1

Schematic illustrating the effects of ovarian hormones and factors from the endometrium and conceptus trophectoderm on expression of elongation- and implantation-related genes in the endometrial epithelia of the ovine uterus during early pregnancy. Progesterone action for 8–10 days down-regulate expression of the progesterone receptor (PGR). The loss of PGR is correlated with the induction of many genes in the endometrial LE and sGE, including PTGS2 and HSD11B1 involved in prostaglandin (PG) and cortisol production, respectively, in both cyclic and pregnant ewes. If the ewe is pregnant, the trophectoderm synthesizes and secretes PGs, interferon tau (IFNT), and cortisol that act on the endometrium in a cell-specific manner to up-regulate the expression of many P4-induced genes that govern endometrial functions and/or elongation of the conceptus. Legend: GE, glandular epithelia; IFNT, interferon tau; LE, luminal epithelium; PG, prostaglandins; PGR, progesterone receptor; sGE, superficial glandular epithelia.