ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the regulatory effects of Zishen Yutai Pills on the expression levels of homeboxA10 (HOXA10) and its downstream target gene empty spiracles homebox 2 (EMX2) in the endometria of ovulation-inducing mice at different implantation stages. Methods Seventy-five estrous female Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely normal group, model group 1, model group 2, treatment group 1, treatment group 2, 15 mice in each group. The model group 1 was given short-term protocol for ovulation induction; the model group 2 was given long-term protocol for ovulation induction; the treatment group 1 was given Zishen Yutai pills (at the dose of 0.4 g/mL) on the basis of the protocol for the model group 1; the treatment group 2 was given Zishen Yutai Pills (at the dose of 0.4 g/mL) on the basis of the protocol for the model group 2; the normal group was given intragastric administration or intraperitoneal injection of the same volume of normal saline. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HOXA10 and EMX2 in mouse uterus were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot method, respectively. Results Compared with the normal group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of HOXA10 were decreased, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of EMX2 were increased in model group 1 and model group 2(P< 0.01). Compared with the corresponding model group 1 and 2, the mRNA and protein expression levels of HOXA10 were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.01) , and the mRNA and protein expression levels of EMX2 were decreased in the treatment group 1 and 2 (P < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion Zishen Yutai Pills may improve mouse endometrial receptivity by up-regulating HOXA10 expression and inhibiting EMX2 expression.