Date of Completion
2025
Document Type
Honors College Thesis
Department
Larner College of Medicine, OB/GYN and Reproductive Sciences
Thesis Type
Honors College, College of Arts and Science Honors
First Advisor
Shanmugasundaram Nallasamy
Keywords
Endometrial Decidualization, Embryo Implantation, Lysyl Oxidases, Extracellular Matrix, Uterus, Pregnancy
Abstract
Lysyl oxidase-like enzymes (LOXL1-4) belong to the lysyl oxidase family, which cross-link fibrous extracellular matrix proteins like fibrillar collagen and elastic fibers. These enzymes ultimately determine tissue strength. However, their role in the endometrium during embryo implantation remains undefined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression and spatial distribution of LOXL1-4 within the endometrium during embryo implantation. We utilized uterine cross sections prepared from gestation days 5 to 8 to investigate the expression and spatial distribution of LOXL1-4. Confocal imaging analysis revealed distinct expression and spatial distribution patterns of all LOXL1-4. All LOXL1-4 enzymes are localized within the decidua, although they exhibit varying expression patterns. To gain further insights, we employed an in vitro stromal cell decidualization model. This model provided compelling evidence that stromal cells serve as the primary source of LOXL1-4 during endometrial decidualization. In summary, our comprehensive analysis provides a detailed evaluation of the expression and spatial distribution, of LOXL1-4 during the process of endometrial decidualization.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Mulder, Thomas Sparhawk, "Spatiotemporal Distribution of LOXL1-4 in the Endometrium During Embryo Implantation" (2025). UVM Patrick Leahy Honors College Senior Theses. 739.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/hcoltheses/739