The modulating effect of progesterone on endometrial structure and function are essential to the success of human reproduction. Due to the important role played by progesterone in human reproduction, exogenous supplementation of progesterone is the important treatment regimen in infertility treatment. Natural micronized progesterone Natural Micronized Progesterone (NMP) has the chemical structure identical to that of the hormone molecule produced in the human body. Natural micronized progesterone is manufactured in a laboratory from chemicals derived from plants (Mexican wild yams and soy). The term "micronized" refers to the small particle size of the progesterone itself, which greatly helps its absorption. Side effects associated with them are minimum, which may be attributed to their close resemblance to the natural hormone.1 Micronization of progesterone to particle sizes of <10μm increases the available surface area of the drug and enhances the aqueous dissolution rate and intestinal absorption. The immune system The primary function…
Understanding implantation Implantation in humans is an intricate but highly organized phenomenon that is dependent on multiple physiological and molecular processes.7 The event begins at the early stages of oocyte maturation, and specifically requires a mutual interaction between the blastocyst and the endometrium, eventually culminating in a small "window of opportunity" during which implantation can occur. This interaction involves the embryo, with its intrinsic molecular program of cell growth and differentiation, and the temporal differentiation of endometrial cells to attain uterine receptivity. By itself, the entire sequence is governed by an array of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine modulators, of embryonic and maternal origin.8 Histological changes in endometrium during normal ovulatory menstrual cycle There exist three distinct histological stages in the monthly normal ovulatory endometrial cycle; menstrual, proliferative, and secretory phase (Figure 1).9 The proliferative phase - also referred to as the estrogen phase - begins at about 5 days after…
