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Updated: Oct 17, 2025

Methods for Studying Uterine Contributions to Pregnancy Establishment in an Ovariectomized Mouse Model
Published on: April 7, 2023
Mechanisms of lipid metabolism in uterine receptivity and embryo development
Qianhong Ye1, Xiangzhou Zeng1, Shuang Cai1
1State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture Feed Industry Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P. R. China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Biofeed Additives, Beijing 100193, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Metabolic regulation plays important roles in embryo development and uterine receptivity during early pregnancy, ultimately influencing pregnancy efficiency in mammals. The important roles of lipid metabolism during early pregnancy have not been fully understood. Here, we described the regulatory roles of phospholipid, sphingolipid, and cholesterol metabolism on early embryo development, implantation, and uterine receptivity through production of cannabinoids, prostaglandins, lysophosphatidic acid, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and steroid hormones. Moreover, the impacts of lipids and fatty acids on embryo development potential and the related epigenetic modifications are also discussed. This review aims to elucidate the modulations of lipid metabolism on uterine receptivity and embryo development, contributing to novel strategies to establish dietary balanced lipids and fatty acids for reducing early embryo loss.
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