Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

LIVE: Thursday 2nd May 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

Quality sleep is essential for health. But what happens to our brains when sleep patterns are disturbed? Join our experts to explore the interplay between sleep disruption and neurological diseases, and the questions that you need to be asking your patients to help you prevent the harmful effects of sleep deprivation.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Review

An investigation of excess residual cytoplasm in human spermatozoa and its distinction from the cytoplasmic droplet

Authors: Anil K Rengan, Ashok Agarwal, Michelle van der Linde, Stefan S du Plessis

Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology | Issue 1/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Recent studies have shown cytoplasmic droplets to be normal morphological occurrences in human male spermatozoa. When the cytoplasm around the sperm midpiece is present in large amounts, however, pathological effects may transpire. The cytoplasmic droplet then becomes known as excess residual cytoplasm, which can impair overall sperm function and produce higher levels of reactive oxygen species, potentially leading to male infertility. Though the distinction between cytoplasmic droplets and excess residual cytoplasm has been made, some studies fail to recognize the difference and incorrectly label the latter as a cytoplasmic droplet. This review attempts to clarify excess residual cytoplasm’s effect on fertility, examine the enzymes responsible, and suggest tests and possible treatment options for those affected by this defect.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Rago V, Siciliano L, Aquila S, Carpino A: Detection of estrogen receptors ER-alpha and ER-beta in human ejaculated immature spermatozoa with excess residual cytoplasm. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2006, 4: 36-10.1186/1477-7827-4-36.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
2.
Gomez E, Buckingham DW, Brindle J, Lanzafame F, Irvine DS, Aitken RJ: Development of an image analysis system to monitor the retention of residual cytoplasm by human spermatozoa: correlation with biochemical markers of the cytoplasmic space, oxidative stress, and sperm function. J Androl. 1996, 17 (3): 276-287.PubMed
3.
Zini A, O'Bryan MK, Israel L, Schlegel PN: Human sperm NADH and NADPH diaphorase cytochemistry: correlation with sperm motility. Urology. 1998, 51 (3): 464-468. 10.1016/S0090-4295(97)00631-6.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Ergur AR, Dokras A, Giraldo JL, Habana A, Kovanci E, Huszar G: Sperm maturity and treatment choice of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: diminished sperm HspA2 chaperone levels predict IVF failure. Fertil Steril. 2002, 77 (5): 910-918. 10.1016/S0015-0282(02)03073-X.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Cooper TG: Cytoplasmic droplets: the good, the bad or just confusing?. Hum Reprod. 2005, 20 (1): 9-11.CrossRefPubMed
6.
7.
Bloom G, Nicander L: On the ultrastructure and development of the protoplasmic droplet of spermatozoa. Cell Tissue Res. 1961, 55 (6): 833-844.
8.
Hermo L, Dworkin J, Oko R: Role of epithelial clear cells of the rat epididymis in the disposal of the contents of cytoplasmic droplets detached from spermatozoa. Am J Anat. 1988, 183 (2): 107-124. 10.1002/aja.1001830202.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Cooper TG, Yeung CH, Fetic S, Sobhani A, Nieschlag E: Cytoplasmic droplets are normal structures of human sperm but are not well preserved by routine procedures for assessing sperm morphology. Hum Reprod. 2004, 19 (10): 2283-2288. 10.1093/humrep/deh410.CrossRefPubMed
10.
Manandhar G, Sutovsky P: Comparative histology and subcellular structures of mammalian spermatogenesis and spermatozoa. Comparative Reproductive Biology. Edited by: Schatten H, Constantinescu GM. 2007, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, 86-1
11.
Kaplan M, Russell LD, Peterson RN, Martan J: Boar sperm cytoplasmic droplets: their ultrastructure, their numbers in the epididymis and at ejaculation and their removal during isolation of sperm plasma membranes. Tissue Cell. 1984, 16 (3): 455-468. 10.1016/0040-8166(84)90063-6.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Cooper TG, Yeung CH: Acquisition of volume regulatory response of sperm upon maturation in the epididymis and the role of the cytoplasmic droplet. Microsc Res Tech. 2003, 61 (1): 28-38. 10.1002/jemt.10314.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Chantler E, Abraham-Peskir JV: Significance of midpiece vesicles and functional integrity of the membranes of human spermatozoa after osmotic stress. Andrologia. 2004, 36 (2): 87-93. 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2004.00609.x.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Clermont Y: Kinetics of spermatogenesis in mammals: seminiferous epithelium cycle and spermatogonial renewal. Physiol Rev. 1972, 52 (1): 198-236.PubMed
15.
Aitken RJ: Founders' Lecture. Human spermatozoa: fruits of creation, seeds of doubt. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2004, 16 (7): 655-664. 10.1071/RD04083.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Huszar G, Vigue L: Spermatogenesis-related change in the synthesis of the creatine kinase B-type and M-type isoforms in human spermatozoa. Mol Reprod Dev. 1990, 25 (3): 258-262. 10.1002/mrd.1080250307.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Huszar G, Patrizio P, Vigue L, Willets M, Wilker C, Adhoot D, Johnson L: Cytoplasmic extrusion and the switch from creatine kinase B to M isoform are completed by the commencement of epididymal transport in human and stallion spermatozoa. J Androl. 1998, 19 (1): 11-20.PubMed
18.
Amann RP, Seidel GE, Mortimer RG: Fertilizing potential in vitro of semen from young beef bulls containing a high or low percentage of sperm with a proximal droplet. Theriogenology. 2000, 54 (9): 1499-1515. 10.1016/S0093-691X(00)00470-2.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Kuster CE, Hess RA, Althouse GC: Immunofluorescence reveals ubiquitination of retained distal cytoplasmic droplets on ejaculated porcine spermatozoa. J Androl. 2004, 25 (3): 340-347.PubMed
20.
Cortadellas N, Durfort M: Fate and composition of cytoplasmic droplet of hamster epididymal spermatozoa. J Morphol. 1994, 221 (2): 199-210. 10.1002/jmor.1052210209.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Fetic S, Yeung CH, Sonntag B, Nieschlag E, Cooper TG: Relationship of cytoplasmic droplets to motility, migration in mucus, and volume regulation of human spermatozoa. J Androl. 2006, 27 (2): 294-301. 10.2164/jandrol.05122.CrossRefPubMed
22.
Yeung CH, Barfield JP, Cooper TG: Physiological volume regulation by spermatozoa. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2006, 250 (1–2): 98-105.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Yeung CH, Anapolski M, Depenbusch M, Zitzmann M, Cooper TG: Human sperm volume regulation. Response to physiological changes in osmolality, channel blockers and potential sperm osmolytes. Hum Reprod. 2003, 18 (5): 1029-1036. 10.1093/humrep/deg204.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Yeung CH, Cooper TG: Effects of the ion-channel blocker quinine on human sperm volume, kinematics and mucus penetration, and the involvement of potassium channels. Mol Hum Reprod. 2001, 7 (9): 819-828. 10.1093/molehr/7.9.819.CrossRefPubMed
25.
Cooper TG, Yeung CH, Wagenfeld A, Nieschlag E, Poutanen M, Huhtaniemi I, Sipilä P: Mouse models of infertility due to swollen spermatozoa. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2004, 216 (1–2): 55-63.CrossRefPubMed
26.
Chen Q, Peng H, Lei L, Zhang Y, Kuang H, Cao Y, Shi QX, Ma T, Duan E: Aquaporin3 is a sperm water channel essential for postcopulatory sperm osmoadaptation and migration. Cell Res. 2011, 21 (6): 922-933. 10.1038/cr.2010.169.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
27.
Köhn FM, Dammshäuser I, Neukamm C, Renneberg H, Siems WE, Schill WB, Aumüller G: Ultrastructural localization of angiotensin-converting enzyme in ejaculated human spermatozoa. Hum Reprod. 1998, 13 (3): 604-610. 10.1093/humrep/13.3.604.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Fischer KA, Van Leyen K, Lovercamp KW, Manandhar G, Sutovsky M, Feng D, Safranski T, Sutovsky P: 15-Lipoxygenase is a component of the mammalian sperm cytoplasmic droplet. Reproduction. 2005, 130 (2): 213-222. 10.1530/rep.1.00646.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Naaby-Hansen S, Wolkowicz MJ, Klotz K, Bush LA, Westbrook VA, Shibahara H, Shetty J, Coonrod SA, Reddi PP, Shannon J, Kinter M, Sherman NE, Fox J, Flickinger CJ, Herr JC: Co-localization of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor and calreticulin in the equatorial segment and in membrane bounded vesicles in the cytoplasmic droplet of human spermatozoa. Mol Hum Reprod. 2001, 7 (10): 923-933. 10.1093/molehr/7.10.923.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Carr DW, Fujita A, Stentz CL, Liberty GA, Olson GE, Narumiya S: Identification of sperm-specific proteins that interact with A-kinase anchoring proteins in a manner similar to the type II regulatory subunit of PKA. J Biol Chem. 2001, 276 (20): 17332-17338. 10.1074/jbc.M011252200.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Miranda-Vizuete A, Ljung J, Damdimopoulos AE, Gustafsson JA, Oko R, Pelto-Huikko M, Spyrou G: Characterization of Sptrx, a novel member of the thioredoxin family specifically expressed in human spermatozoa. J Biol Chem. 2001, 276 (34): 31567-31574. 10.1074/jbc.M101760200.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Rawe VY, Olmedo SB, Benmusa A, Shiigi SM, Chemes HE, Sutovsky P: Sperm ubiquitination in patients with dysplasia of the fibrous sheath. Hum Reprod. 2002, 17 (8): 2119-2127. 10.1093/humrep/17.8.2119.CrossRefPubMed
33.
World Health Organization: Standard procedures. WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Edited by: Cooper TG. 2010, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 68-5
34.
Baker MA, Aitken RJ: Reactive oxygen species in spermatozoa: methods for monitoring and significance for the origins of genetic disease and infertility. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2005, 3: 67-10.1186/1477-7827-3-67.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
35.
Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN: On the possible origins of DNA damage in human spermatozoa. Mol Hum Reprod. 2010, 16 (1): 3-13. 10.1093/molehr/gap059.CrossRefPubMed
36.
O'Donnell L, Pratis K, Stanton PG, Robertson DM, McLachlan RI: Testosterone-dependent restoration of spermatogenesis in adult rats is impaired by a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor. J Androl. 1999, 20 (1): 109-117.PubMed
37.
D'Souza R, Pathak S, Upadhyay R, Gaonkar R, D'Souza S, Sonawane S, Gill-Sharma M, Balasinor NH: Disruption of tubulobulbar complex by high intratesticular estrogens leading to failed spermiation. Endocrinology. 2009, 150 (4): 1861-1869. 10.1210/en.2008-1232.CrossRefPubMed
38.
Kerr JB, Loveland KL, O’Bryan MK, de Kretser DM: Cytology of the testis and intrinsic control mechanisms. Knobil and Neill's Physiology of Reproduction. Edited by: Neill JD. 2006, Academic Press, San Diego, 861-3
39.
O'Donnell L, Nicholls PK, O'Bryan MK, McLachlan RI, Stanton PG: Spermiation: the process of sperm release. Spermatogenesis. 2011, 1 (1): 14-35. 10.4161/spmg.1.1.14525.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
40.
Mikolcevic P, Sigl R, Rauch V, Hess MW, Pfaller K, Barisic M, Pelliniemi LJ, Boesl M, Geley S: Cyclin-dependent kinase 16/PCTAIRE kinase 1 is activated by cyclin Y and is essential for spermatogenesis. Mol Cell Biol. 2012, 32 (4): 868-879. 10.1128/MCB.06261-11.PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
41.
Okamura A, Kamijima M, Ohtani K, Yamanoshita O, Nakamura D, Ito Y, Miyata M, Ueyama J, Suzuki T, Imai R, Takagi K, Nakajima T: Broken sperm, cytoplasmic droplets and reduced sperm motility are principal markers of decreased sperm quality due to organophosphorus pesticides in rats. J Occup Health. 2009, 51 (6): 478-487. 10.1539/joh.L9019.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Zini A, Buckspan M, Jamal M, Jarvi K: Effect of varicocelectomy on the abnormal retention of residual cytoplasm by human spermatozoa. Hum Reprod. 1999, 14 (7): 1791-1793. 10.1093/humrep/14.7.1791.CrossRefPubMed
43.
Zini A, Defreitas G, Freeman M, Hechter S, Jarvi K: Varicocele is associated with abnormal retention of cytoplasmic droplets by human spermatozoa. Fertil Steril. 2000, 74 (3): 461-464. 10.1016/S0015-0282(00)00703-2.CrossRefPubMed
44.
Mak V, Jarvi K, Buckspan M, Freeman M, Hechter S, Zini A: Smoking is associated with the retention of cytoplasm by human spermatozoa. Urology. 2000, 56 (3): 463-466. 10.1016/S0090-4295(00)00700-7.CrossRefPubMed
45.
Sofikitis N, Miyagawa I, Dimitriadis D, Zavos P, Sikka S, Hellstrom W: Effects of smoking on testicular function, semen quality and sperm fertilizing capacity. J Urol. 1995, 154 (3): 1030-1034. 10.1016/S0022-5347(01)66968-4.CrossRefPubMed
46.
Peltola V, Mäntylä E, Huhtaniemi I, Ahotupa M: Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in the rat testis after cigarette smoke inhalation or administration of polychlorinated biphenyls or polychlorinated naphthalenes. J Androl. 1994, 15 (4): 353-361.PubMed
47.
Koppers AJ, De Iuliis GN, Finnie JM, McLaughlin EA, Aitken RJ: Significance of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in the generation of oxidative stress in spermatozoa. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008, 93 (8): 3199-3207. 10.1210/jc.2007-2616.CrossRefPubMed
48.
Anderson D, Schmid TE, Baumgartner A, Cemeli-Carratala E, Brinkworth MH, Wood JM: Oestrogenic compounds and oxidative stress (in human sperm and lymphocytes in the Comet assay). Mutat Res. 2003, 544 (2–3): 173-178.CrossRefPubMed
49.
Griveau JF, Dumont E, Renard P, Callegari JP, Le Lannou D: Reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation and enzymatic defence systems in human spermatozoa. J Reprod Fertil. 1995, 103 (1): 17-26. 10.1530/jrf.0.1030017.CrossRefPubMed
50.
Aitken J, Krausz C, Buckingham D: Relationships between biochemical markers for residual sperm cytoplasm, reactive oxygen species generation, and the presence of leukocytes and precursor germ cells in human sperm suspensions. Mol Reprod Dev. 1994, 39 (3): 268-279. 10.1002/mrd.1080390304.CrossRefPubMed
51.
Yeung C, Cooper TG: Sperm quality and function tests. Andrology: Male Reproductive Health and Dysfunction. Edited by: Nieschlag E, Behre HM, Nieschlag S. 2009, Springer, Berlin, 142-3
52.
Sohal RS: Mitochondria generate superoxide anion radicals and hydrogen peroxide. FASEB J. 1997, 11 (14): 1269-1270.PubMed
53.
Forman HJ, Azzi A: On the virtual existence of superoxide anions in mitochondria: thoughts regarding its role in pathophysiology. FASEB J. 1997, 11 (5): 374-375.PubMed
54.
Aitken J: Mechanisms and prevention of lipid peroxidation in human spermatozoa. Human Sperm Acrosome Reaction. Edited by: Fénichel P, Parinaud J. 1995, John Libbey Eurotext, Collioure, 348-
55.
Agarwal A, Makker K, Sharma R: Clinical relevance of oxidative stress in male factor infertility: an update. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2008, 59 (1): 2-11.CrossRefPubMed
56.
Said TM, Paasch U, Glander HJ, Agarwal A: Role of caspases in male infertility. Hum Reprod Update. 2004, 10 (1): 39-51. 10.1093/humupd/dmh003.CrossRefPubMed
57.
Weng SL, Taylor SL, Morshedi M, Schuffner A, Duran EH, Beebe S, Oehninger S: Caspase activity and apoptotic markers in ejaculated human sperm. Mol Hum Reprod. 2002, 8 (11): 984-991. 10.1093/molehr/8.11.984.CrossRefPubMed
58.
Aitken RJ, Gordon E, Harkiss D, Twigg JP, Milne P, Jennings Z, Irvine DS: Relative impact of oxidative stress on the functional competence and genomic integrity of human spermatozoa. Biol Reprod. 1998, 59 (5): 1037-1046. 10.1095/biolreprod59.5.1037.CrossRefPubMed
59.
Aitken RJ, Krausz C: Oxidative stress, DNA damage and the Y chromosome. Reproduction. 2001, 122 (4): 497-506. 10.1530/rep.0.1220497.CrossRefPubMed
60.
Sutovsky P, Van Leyen K, McCauley T, Day BN, Sutovsky M: Degradation of paternal mitochondria after fertilization: implications for heteroplasmy, assisted reproductive technologies and mtDNA inheritance. Reprod Biomed Online. 2004, 8 (1): 24-33. 10.1016/S1472-6483(10)60495-6.CrossRefPubMed
61.
Aitken J, Fisher H: Reactive oxygen species generation and human spermatozoa: the balance of benefit and risk. Bioessays. 1994, 16 (4): 259-267. 10.1002/bies.950160409.CrossRefPubMed
62.
Watson PF: The causes of reduced fertility with cryopreserved semen. Anim Reprod Sci. 2000, 60–61: 481-492.CrossRefPubMed
63.
Aitken RJ, Ross A, Hargreave T, Richardson D, Best F: Analysis of human sperm function following exposure to the ionophore A23187. Comparison of normospermic and oligozoospermic men. J Androl. 1984, 5 (5): 321-329.PubMed
64.
Ohyashiki T, Ohtsuka T, Mohri T: Increase of the molecular rigidity of the protein conformation in the intestinal brush-border membranes by lipid peroxidation. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1988, 939 (2): 383-392. 10.1016/0005-2736(88)90084-3.CrossRefPubMed
65.
66.
Oliw EH, Sprecher H: Metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids by an (n - 6)-lipoxygenase associated with human ejaculates. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1989, 1002 (3): 283-291. 10.1016/0005-2760(89)90342-1.CrossRefPubMed
67.
Lax Y, Grossman S, Rubinstein S, Magid N, Breitbart H: Role of lipoxygenase in the mechanism of acrosome reaction in mammalian spermatozoa. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1990, 1043 (1): 12-18. 10.1016/0005-2760(90)90104-6.CrossRefPubMed
68.
Zorn B, Vidmar G, Meden-Vrtovec H: Seminal reactive oxygen species as predictors of fertilization, embryo quality and pregnancy rates after conventional in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Int J Androl. 2003, 26 (5): 279-285. 10.1046/j.1365-2605.2003.00424.x.CrossRefPubMed
69.
Dennery PA: Effects of oxidative stress on embryonic development. Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2007, 81 (3): 155-162. 10.1002/bdrc.20098.CrossRefPubMed
70.
Aitken RJ, Baker MA, De Iuliis GN, Nixon B: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. Edited by: Habenicht U-F, Aitken RJ. 2010, Springer, Berlin, 99-115.New insights into sperm physiology and pathology,Fertility Control,
71.
Aitken RJ: The Amoroso Lecture. The human spermatozoon--a cell in crisis?. J Reprod Fertil. 1999, 115 (1): 1-7. 10.1530/jrf.0.1150001.CrossRefPubMed
72.
Agarwal A, Nallella KP, Allamaneni SS, Said TM: Role of antioxidants in treatment of male infertility: an overview of the literature. Reprod Biomed Online. 2004, 8 (6): 616-627. 10.1016/S1472-6483(10)61641-0.CrossRefPubMed
73.
Huszar G, Stone K, Dix D, Vigue L: Putative creatine kinase M-isoform in human sperm is identified as the 70-kilodalton heat shock protein HspA2. Biol Reprod. 2000, 63 (3): 925-932. 10.1095/biolreprod63.3.925.CrossRefPubMed
74.
Huszar G, Ozenci CC, Cayli S, Zavaczki Z, Hansch E, Vigue L: Hyaluronic acid binding by human sperm indicates cellular maturity, viability, and unreacted acrosomal status. Fertil Steril. 2003, 3: 1616-1624.CrossRef
75.
Thérond P, Auger J, Legrand A, Jouannet P: alpha-Tocopherol in human spermatozoa and seminal plasma: relationships with motility, antioxidant enzymes and leukocytes. Mol Hum Reprod. 1996, 2 (10): 739-744. 10.1093/molehr/2.10.739.CrossRefPubMed
76.
Baker HW, Brindle J, Irvine DS, Aitken RJ: Protective effect of antioxidants on the impairment of sperm motility by activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Fertil Steril. 1996, 65 (2): 411-419.PubMed
77.
Gianturco V, Bellomo A, D'Ottavio E, Formosa V, Iori A, Mancinella M, Troisi G, Marigliano V: Impact of therapy with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on the oxidative stress in the controlled NIDDM: a possible preventive way against the organ dysfunction?. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2009, 1: 129-133.CrossRef
78.
Preston TJ, Muller WJ, Singh G: Scavenging of extracellular H2O2 by catalase inhibits the proliferation of HER-2/Neu-transformed rat-1 fibroblasts through the induction of a stress response. J Biol Chem. 2001, 276 (12): 9558-9564. 10.1074/jbc.M004617200.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
An investigation of excess residual cytoplasm in human spermatozoa and its distinction from the cytoplasmic droplet
Authors
Anil K Rengan
Ashok Agarwal
Michelle van der Linde
Stefan S du Plessis
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7827
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-10-92

Other articles of this Issue 1/2012

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 1/2012 Go to the issue

Research

Obstetric outcome in donor oocyte pregnancies: a matched-pair analysis

Research

The effects of male age on sperm analysis by motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME)

Review

Germline cells in ovarian surface epithelium of mammalians: a promising notion

Research

Roles of prostaglandin F2alpha and hydrogen peroxide in the regulation of Copper/Zinc superoxide dismutase in bovine corpus luteum and luteal endothelial cells

Research

Hepatocyte growth factor regulates HLX1 gene expression to modulate HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells

Research

PreImplantation Factor (PIF) promoting role in embryo implantation: increases endometrial Integrin-α2β3, amphiregulin and epiregulin while reducing betacellulin expression via MAPK in decidua