LOSS OF LAMININ AND TYPE-IV COLLAGEN IN UTERINE LUMINAL EPITHELIAL BASEMENT-MEMBRANES DURING BLASTOCYST IMPLANTATION IN THE MOUSE

Background: Removal of the uterine luminal epithelium and its basement membrane is necessary for successful implantation of invasive blastoc ysts. Few reports, however, have specifically addressed the penetratio n and loss of the uterine luminal epithelial basement membrane (UEBM). We investigated the loss of UEBM by examining the distribution of lam inin and type IV collagen. Methods: Blastocyst implantation sites were collected from mice on days 5, 6, and 7 of pregnancy. Paraffin sectio ns were prepared from these tissues and processed with standard immuno peroxidase techniques to reveal the distribution of laminin and type I V collagen. Results: On day 5 of pregnancy blastocysts were adherent t o the uterine epithelium. The epithelium and UEBM were complete and un interrupted. On day 6 the juxtaembryonic uterine epithelium was lost a nd focal discontinuities were seen along the UEBM. By 1200 hr the UEBM had receded to the region near the ectoplacental cone, but staining w as reduced for both antigens over the entire region surrounded by deci dual cells. This decreased staining of the UEBM occurred in areas not yet occupied by trophoblast cells. On day 7 the UEBM was lost over the entire embryonic half of the uterine lining, corresponding to the dis tribution of decidual cells. Conclusions: Progressive loss of the UEBM occurred in a consistent spatiotemporal pattern following the onset o f blastocyst implantation. Diminished immunoreactivity of laminin and type IV collagen in the UEBM was closely correlated with the area occu pied by decidualized endometrial stroma and occurred in areas not yet in contact with trophoblast cells. We conclude that decidual cells are instrumental in the removal of UEBM during early pregnancy. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.