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Updated: Sep 10, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Therapeutic Strategies for Improving Pregnancy Rates by Analyzing Embryo-Endometrium Interactions
Published on: June 21, 2024
MicroRNA participates in embryo implantation by modulating endometrial tolerance in sows during peri-implantation
Wenyuan Li1, Xinlin Jia1, Xiangyu Mao1
1Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Key laboratory of Animal Disease-resistant Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNA. MiRNAs affect physiological processes by regulating messenger RNA (mRNA) translation of target genes. The peri-implantation period is the period with the most loss of pig embryos, during which the endometrium provides support for embryo selectivity. The effects of miRNAs during the porcine peri-implantation period include roles in pregnancy recognition, embryo adhesion, maternal vascular support, and immune system modulation. 1) During peri-implantation period, miRNAs regulates the synthesis and secretion of estrogen, progesterone and prostaglandin, and thus plays a role in the process of fetal pregnancy recognition and maintenance. 2) miRNAs regulates the expression of integrin, insulin-like growth factor and their receptors in the embryonic adhesion stage, mediates the formation of tight adhesion and invasion of trophoblast cells, and provides structural support for embryonic development. In addition, miRNAs also acted on retinol-binding protein 4, uterine ferritin, cadhrin, matrix metalloproteinase, fibroblast growth factor and other cytokines, creating a suitable environment for embryo growth. 3) A large number of new blood vessels in the endometrium provide sufficient nutrition for the embryo, miRNAs regulates angiogenesis by acting on angiogenic factors and basic fibroblast growth factors and their participating cellular pathways, thus regulating embryo implantation. 4) miRNAs regulates the maternal immune system to prevent the embryo from being rejected by the immune system due to the presence of paternal antigens (swine leukocyte antigen and so on). Here, we reviewed the regulatory role of miRNAs in the peri-implantation period of embryos, in order to provide theoretical support for reducing the loss of embryos during the peri-implantation period by intervening miRNAs expression.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate crucial processes during pig embryo implantation, including pregnancy recognition, adhesion, and immune response. Understanding these microRNAs offers potential to reduce early embryo loss.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression.
- The peri-implantation period is critical for pig embryo survival, with significant losses occurring during this phase.
- Endometrial support and embryo selectivity are key factors in successful implantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the regulatory roles of miRNAs during the peri-implantation period in pigs.
- To provide theoretical insights for mitigating embryo loss by intervening in miRNA expression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on miRNA function in porcine peri-implantation.
- Analysis of miRNA involvement in key physiological processes: pregnancy recognition, embryo adhesion, vascularization, and immune modulation.
Main Results:
- miRNAs regulate hormones (estrogen, progesterone, prostaglandin) for pregnancy recognition and maintenance.
- miRNAs control expression of integrins and growth factors, mediating embryo adhesion and trophoblast invasion.
- miRNAs influence angiogenesis and maternal immune responses to prevent embryo rejection.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs play multifaceted roles in supporting pig embryo development during the peri-implantation period.
- Targeting miRNA expression presents a potential strategy to reduce early embryonic mortality in pigs.
