ABSTRACT
Despite the pivotal role of the endometrium in the establishment of pregnancy and the significant human health problems associated with endometrial disease, the mechanisms controlling these processes are poorly understood and confounded by in-vivo complexity. In general, controlled investigations of endometrial function in women are restricted by ethical considerations and limited accessibility of human endometrial tissue. Hence, various paradigms to study endometrial function
and disease have been developed. In-vivo paradigms include direct visualization and imaging of the endometrium in women and in-vivo primate and rodent animal models to study and modulate endometrial function. In-vitro paradigms include human and animal whole tissue perfusion, tissue fragment explant culture, isolated cell culture, and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models. Mathematical models have also been developed to study various facets of endometrial function and disease. These various paradigms may enhance our understanding of endometrial function and
disease and translate into therapeutic use in humans. This chapter was designed to provide an appreciation of endometrial paradigms, along with their assets and putative deficits, for investigations in normal and pathological endometrial function and disease.
