What is Decidualization of the endometrium?
Decidualization refers to the functional and morphological changes that occur within the endometrium to form the decidual lining into which the blastocyst implants. These changes include the recruitment of leukocytes and, importantly, the differentiation of endometrial stromal fibroblast cells (ESCs) into DSCs.
What is implantation or Decidualization?
Once implantation occurs and the embryo breaches the luminal epithelium, the stromal cells surrounding the implanting embryo transform into a decidua by a process called decidualization [9,95].
What does secretory endometrium mean?
Secretory endometrium is a non-cancerous change seen in the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. It is a normal finding in women of reproductive age. The secretory endometrium produces substances necessary to support the implantation of an egg should conception occur.
Is decidual reaction normal?
The decidual reaction is most prominent between 18 and 32 weeks with a decline near term. There is also a wide variation in the extent of decidual reaction during normal pregnancy preventing its use as a sensitive indicator of normal versus abnormal pregnancy.
What is the purpose of Decidualization?
Decidualization plays an important role in promoting placenta formation between a mother and her fetus by mediating the invasiveness of trophoblast cells. It also triggers the production of cellular and molecular factors that result in structural changes, or remodeling, of maternal spiral arteries.
What causes Decidualization?
Decidualization occurs in response to elevated levels of the ovarian steroid hormones, E2 and progesterone. Hormonal changes are required in order to support the differentiation that is necessary for implantation during the menstrual cycle.
What does thick uterus wall mean?
Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition of the female reproductive system. The lining of the uterus (endometrium) becomes unusually thick because of having too many cells (hyperplasia). It’s not cancer, but in certain women, it raises the risk of developing endometrial cancer, a type of uterine cancer.
What happens decidual reaction?
The decidual reaction is seen in very early pregnancy in the generalized area where the blastocyst contacts the endometrial decidua. It consists of an increase in secretory functions of the endometrium at the area of implantation, as well as a surrounding stroma that becomes edematous.