Mechanisms of lipid metabolism in uterine receptivity and embryo development

• Published in: Trends in endocrinology and metabolism Vol. 32; no. 12; pp. 1015 - 1030
• Main Authors: Ye, Qianhong, Zeng, Xiangzhou, Cai, Shuang, Qiao, Shiyan, Zeng, Xiangfang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2021
• Subjects: Animals; embryo implantation; Embryo Implantation - physiology; Embryonic Development - physiology; fatty acids; Fatty Acids - metabolism; Female; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Mammals; phospholipids; Pregnancy; sphingolipid; Uterus - metabolism; phospholipids; fatty acids; sphingolipid; embryo implantation
• ISSN: 1043-2760; 1879-3061
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.09.002

Metabolic regulation plays important roles in embryo development and uterine receptivity during early pregnancy, ultimately influencing pregnancy efficiency in mammals. The important roles of lipid metabolism during early pregnancy have not been fully understood. Here, we described the regulatory roles of phospholipid, sphingolipid, and cholesterol metabolism on early embryo development, implantation, and uterine receptivity through production of cannabinoids, prostaglandins, lysophosphatidic acid, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and steroid hormones. Moreover, the impacts of lipids and fatty acids on embryo development potential and the related epigenetic modifications are also discussed. This review aims to elucidate the modulations of lipid metabolism on uterine receptivity and embryo development, contributing to novel strategies to establish dietary balanced lipids and fatty acids for reducing early embryo loss. The quality of embryo implantation, depending on uterine receptivity and early embryo development during early pregnancy, determines ongoing pregnancy efficiency.Lipid metabolism, including phospholipid, sphingolipid, and cholesterol metabolism, regulates embryo development, implantation, and uterine decidualization.Maternal lipid metabolism signaling regulates the reproductive axis through hypothalamic neurons.Lipid metabolism and fatty acids regulate early embryo development potential and modulate embryonic epigenetic modification.