Neutrophil depletion retards endometrial repair in a mouse model

Abstract

The contribution of the high abundance of inflammatory cells present in the human endometrium prior to and during menstruation is unknown with respect to endometrial repair and/or menstruation. In this study, the presence and localisation of markers for key inflammatory cells have been examined in a mouse model of endometrial breakdown and repair and the functional contribution of neutrophils has been determined. In the model, decidualisation is artificially induced and progesterone support withdrawn; the endometrial tissue progressively breaks down by 24 h after progesterone withdrawal and, by 48 h, has usually undergone complete repair. Neutrophils have been identified in low abundance in ..