ABSTRACT
During early pregnancy there are dramatic changes to all plasma membrane domains of uterine epithelial cells and collectively these changes have been referred to as the ‘plasma membrane transformation’.1-3 Also at this time there are major changes to the uterine fluid which are thought to contribute to blastocyst maturation and nourishment prior to implantation, as well as facilitating the initial interaction between the uterine
epithelium and blastocyst. This review will update the general aspects of this concept and in addition will focus on new information on the lateral junctional complex and associated cytoskeleton at the time of implantation. Changes in the tight junctions, the apical-most part of the lateral junctional complex, form the bulk of this chapter, and as tight junctions regulate one potential pathway of fluid and electrolyte transport, the importance and role of luminal fluid are discussed along with recent evidence of transcellular transporter systems.
