Storage, Metabolism, and Release of Nutrients by Uterus to Support Pregnancy

Most fertilized embryos are lost before birth in mammals, including humans and livestock. The majority of these losses occur very early in pregnancy, before or during implantation, when the embryo invades the uterine wall and forms a placenta. During this time, embryos are dependent on nutrients secreted into the uterine lumen (called histotroph) for survival. In some species (e.g., mice and humans), the endometrial cells also decidualize. Embryonic development and decidualization dramatically change the nutritional requirements of these cells. Therefore, the uptake of glucose from maternal circulation, its storage in the endometrium, and its eventual secretion in the uterine lumen must be tightly regulated. Our lab is interested in maternal and embryonic factors that regulate these processes and how changes in maternal metabolism, such as diabetes or lactation, affect the ability of the uterus to support embryonic development. Our long-term goal is to understand how to maximize the storage of nutrients prior to mating to maximize fertility in humans and livestock species.

Effects of Natural and Synthetic Chemicals on the Female Reproductive Tract

Humans are exposed to numerous chemicals every day. Chemicals that have negative effects on human health can be from natural sources (toxins) or man-made (toxicants). Toxins and toxicants are present everywhere. Exposure to these chemicals can be due to their presence in food, personal care products, and even medical equipment. It is believed that the reproductive system and pregnancy are susceptible to these chemicals because reproduction is a hormonally controlled biological system, and chemicals that affect embryonic/fetal development can have effects that manifest later in life. These effects on embryonic/fetal development can even be carried on to future generations. In collaboration with Dr. Ziv-Gal, we are investigating the effects of toxins and toxicants on the female reproductive system and pregnancy. Our goal is to uncover how chemicals negatively affect human health so that exposure to these chemicals can be minimized.

Tissue Mechanics of the Uterine Decidua

In humans and mice, the early embryo invades the differentiated endometrium- called the decidua. Decidualization results in dramatic remodeling of the uterine endometrium, resulting in changes in cell morphology, cell function, and reorganization of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Proper decidualization is required for a successful pregnancy; impaired decidualization is associated with preeclampsia, low birth rate, and pregnancy loss. In other tissues, tissue remodeling is associated with changes in mechanical properties in the tissue. However, how decidualization changes the mechanical properties of the endometrium has not been investigated. Working with Dr. Callan Luetkemeyer, we are exploring how decidualization changes the mechanical properties of the endometrium and how factors like obesity and advanced age alter the mechanical properties of the decidua to reduce fertility.