Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of endometrium pre-receptivity and receptivity stages in porcine

Endometrial receptivity is a key factor influencing embryo implantation and development, and is therefore of significant research importance. In this study, we constructed single-cell transcriptome maps of the porcine endometrium during the pre-receptivity and receptivity phases, and identified the major cell types within the endometrial tissue. It is worth noting that there are significant differences in the composition of epithelial cell subpopulations during the pre-receptivity and receptivity phases. We examined the functional characteristics of endometrial epithelial cells and stromal cells during the pre-receptive and receptive periods, along with the dynamic expression levels of genes associated with endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation in different cell types. Intercellular communication analysis revealed that luminal epithelial cells exhibit highly activity during the receptivity phase. In contrast, glandular epithelial cells and ciliated epithelial cells demonstrated increased activity during the receptivity phase. Additionally, the BMP, VEGF, and TGF-β signaling networks related to endometrial receptivity displayed distinct characteristics during the pre-receptivity and receptivity phases. This study elucidated the transcriptional features of porcine endometrial cells during the receptivity phase, uncovering their unique molecular regulatory mechanisms. These findings provide a crucial theoretical foundation and offer novel insights into understanding abnormalities of the endometrial microenvironment in reproductive disorders.