Pinopod

Pinopods (also known as pinopodes and uterodomes) are apical epithelial cellular protrusions of the endometrium of the uterus.[1]

Pinopods have a pinocytotic role (hence the name pinopod - Greek for "drinking foot"), as well as a secretory role,[2] however their usefulness as a marker for endometrial receptivity is still debated in the current literature.[3]

Correlation of pinopods with Endometrial receptivity

Electron microscopy is major tool used to observe these structures,yet the light microscopy has been proposed so as to facilitate their detection.Their expression is limited to a short period of maximum 2 days in the menstrual cycle corresponding to the putative window of implantation.They appear to be progesterone dependent and homebox gene (HOXA-10 ) has essential role in pinopod development. Furthermore, blocking of HOXA-10 expression significantly decreases the number of pinopods. These structures are several micrometers wide and project into uterine lumen above the microvilli level. [4]

Pinopods also absorb uterine fluid, this 'suction' effect, brings the blastocyst nearer to the endometrium and immobilise it.

References
  1. Adams, SM et al. Manipulation of the follicular phase: Uterodomes and pregnancy - is there a correlation? BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2001) 1:2 http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2393-1-2.pdf
  2. Kabir-Salmani, M et al. Secretory role for human uterodomes (pinopods): secretion of LIF. Molecular Human Reproduction 2005 11(8):553-559 http://molehr.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/11/8/553
  3. Quinn, CE and Casper, RF. Pinopodes: a questionable role in endometrial receptivity. Human Reproduction Update 2009 15(2):229-236 http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/15/2/229
  4. Achache, H. and Revel, A. (2006). Endometrial receptivity markers, the journey to successful embryo implantation. Human Reproduction Update, 12(6), pp.731-746


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