Conceptus-derived Fibrinogen and its Implication in Equine Pregnancy
Abstract
The equine conceptus presents an extensive mobile stage from days 9 to 16 after ovulation, during which it becomes fixed to one of the uterine horns. Throughout mobility, the conceptus secretes fibrinogen (an integrin-binding ECM). We hypothesized that conceptus-derived fibrinogen is converted into fibrin and aids in fixation via integrin receptors. We determined that RGD-binding integrins are expressed in endometrial and embryonic/fetal cells and interact with fibrinogen. Moreover, endometrial and embryonic cells presented the machinery to convert fibrinogen into fibrin and maintain the fibrin network. Overall, we demonstrated that conceptus-derived fibrinogen is likely converted to fibrin at the embryo-maternal interface and mediates cell adhesion via RGD-binding integrins.
Description
Keywords
Veterinary Science
Citation
Macedo da Silva, A. (2017). Conceptus-derived Fibrinogen and its Implication in Equine Pregnancy (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25409