The plasma membrane transformation facilitates pregnancy in both reptiles and mammals

Mechanisms of placentation are very diverse in mammals and range from types in which the uterine epithelium is breached by the implanting blastocyst to those where the epithelium remains intact. Despite these differences in mechanisms, the initial response of the plasma membrane of uterine epithelia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A Part A, 2000-12, Vol.127 (4), p.433-439
Main Authors: Murphy, Christopher R, Hosie, Margot J, Thompson, Michael B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Blastocyst - physiology
Cell Membrane - physiology
Embryo Implantation - physiology
Epithelial Cells - cytology
Epithelial Cells - physiology
Evolution
Female
Lizards - physiology
Mammals
Mammals - physiology
Plasma membrane transformation
Pregnancy
Reproduction - physiology
Reptiles - physiology
Uterus
Uterus - cytology
Uterus - physiology
Viviparous lizards
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Summary:Mechanisms of placentation are very diverse in mammals and range from types in which the uterine epithelium is breached by the implanting blastocyst to those where the epithelium remains intact. Despite these differences in mechanisms, the initial response of the plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells is remarkably similar across mammalian species which has led to the term ‘plasma membrane transformation’ to encapsulate the concept of a common beginning to implantation. Membrane phenomena similar to those of mammals have now been observed in some viviparous lizards at the ultrastructural level during early pregnancy, and we propose extending the concept of ‘plasma membrane transformation’ to lizards with live birth.
ISSN:1095-6433
1531-4332
DOI:10.1016/S1095-6433(00)00274-9