This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Morin, C. Articles by Lambert, R. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Morin, C. Articles by Lambert, R. D.

Possible implication of lysophosphatidylcholine in cell fusion accompanying implantation in rabbits

Summary. Implantation in rabbits involves the cellular fusion of trophoblastic and uterine epithelial cells resulting in embryo penetration of the uterine endometrium. Since lysophospholipids, known to have fusigenic properties, could be responsible for this cell fusion, the metabolism of lysophospholipids was studied throughout gestation in blastocyst/yolk sac and extracoelic amnioallantoic fluids. Analysis of phospholipid composition revealed that lysophospholipids are present in blastocyst/yolk sac fluid. Their concentrations and haemolytic activity change during pregnancy. They increase and reach their highest values during days 7 to 9, the implantation days in rabbits. A clear correlation was observed between lysophosphatidylcholine concentrations in blastocyst/yolk sac fluid and haemolysis induced by this fluid. Phosphatidylcholine concentrations, phospholipase A₂ activity, which generates lysophospholipids, and lysophospholipase A activity which hydrolyses lysophosphatidylcholine into fatty acid, were at their highest value at day 12. These data suggest that a transient accumulation of lysophospholipids could ensure local cell fusion. Moreover, we propose that the lysophospholipid concentrations in blastocyst/yolk sac fluid are dependent upon activities of phospholipase A₂ and lysophospholipase.

Keywords: cell fusion; syncytiotrophoblast; implantation; phospholipase A₂; lysophospholipids; rabbit

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E.A. Campbell, L. O'Hara, R.D. Catalano, A.M. Sharkey, T.C. Freeman, and M. H. Johnson Temporal expression profiling of the uterine luminal epithelium of the pseudo-pregnant mouse suggests receptivity to the fertilized egg is associated with complex transcriptional changes Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2006; 21(10): 2495 - 2513. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]