Impact of Kuntai Capsules on LIF, IGF-1 and EGF Expression in the Implantation Window of Endometrium in Mice

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the influence of Kuntai capsules on the expression level of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) during the mouse's implantation window of superovulation period and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation period. Methods: A total of 90 female mice were randomly divided into six groups (n=15, each group).The RNA expression of EGF, LIF and IGF-1 in the endometrium on the 4 th day of pregnancy was detected using the fluorescence quantitative PCR method, and the relative expression of these three factors in each group was compared. Results: The mRNA expression of these three factors in the endometrium during the mouse's implantation window period was significantly lower in the superovulation group and COH group than in the control group (P<0.001), and was obviously lower in the superovulation group than in the COH group (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of these three factors in the endometrium remained obviously lower in the superovulation plus kuntai capsule group and COH plus kuntai capsule group, compared with the control group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of these three factors in the endometrium was lower in control group than in the NS plus kuntai capsule group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression in the superovulation and COH groups was lower than in the COH plus kuntai capsule group (P<0.05). Conclusions:Both the superovulation and COH procedure could reduce the mouse's endometrial receptivity. The application of the Chinese medicine Kuntai capsule could partially improve a mouse's endometrial receptivity through the increasing expression of three relevant cytokines during the implantation window.