# The Role of Progesterone Receptor in the Oviduct Epithelium for Pregnancy Establishment

> **NIH NIH F31** · WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $28,054

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract:
80% of pregnancy loss occurs during the first trimester, however, the cause associated with defective Fallopian
tubes (termed “oviduct” in other species) is often unknown. Because we lack a complete understanding of the
environment within the oviduct and its role in regulating early pregnancy, it is difficult to provide diagnostic tools
for oviductal origin of early pregnancy loss. Although efforts have been made to mimic the oviductal environment
for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), the success rate still remains low. The literature has shown that
co-culture with oviduct epithelial cells improves fertilization rate and embryo quality suggesting that important
interactions occur between the epithelial cell lining of the oviduct and the embryo to support embryonic
development. Loss of progesterone (P4) during the first day of embryo development leads to a disruption in
embryo development and ablation of classical progesterone receptor (Pgr) in the epithelial cells of the female
reproductive tract (called epithelial Pgrd/d) causes infertility, partly due to a uterine implantation defect. However,
the requirement of PGR in the epithelial cells on oviductal function has not yet been evaluated. We propose to
study the functional requirement of epithelial PGR in the oviduct during preimplantation embryo development for
pregnancy establishment. Using the epithelial Pgrd/d mouse model, our pilot studies have demonstrated that
epithelial PGR expression is required for normal preimplantation embryo development in the oviduct. We further
aim to determine the cause of this developmental defect and increase in embryo death in the absence of
epithelial PGR. Preliminary data shows an upregulation of inflammatory response genes when Pgr is ablated
from the epithelium, which may lead to an environment not suitable for developing embryos in the oviduct.
Successful completion of these aims will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the role of P4 signaling
through classical PGR in the oviduct epithelial cells to regulate the inflammatory response and preimplantation
development during pregnancy establishment that may contribute to diagnostic markers for early pregnancy
loss. Research proposed in Aims 1 and 2 is anticipated to be completed in Years 1 and 2, respectively. In addition
to these proposed aims, professional development, science writing, communication and networking skills will
progress during Year 1 and Year 2. The open laboratory space and Center for Reproductive Biology at
Washington State University will encourage collaboration and provide the necessary resources, equipment, and
facilities to carry out the proposed aims.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10384329
- **Project number:** 1F31HD107807-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Emily A McGlade
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $28,054
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-01-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10384329

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10384329, The Role of Progesterone Receptor in the Oviduct Epithelium for Pregnancy Establishment (1F31HD107807-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10384329. Licensed CC0.

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