Pinopod

Pinopods (also known as pinopodes and uterodomes) are apical epithelial cellular protrusions of the endometrium of the uterus.[1]

Pinopods have a pinocytotic role (hence the name pinopod - Greek for "drinking foot"), as well as a secretory role,[2] however their usefulness as a marker for endometrial receptivity is still debated in the current literature.[3]

Pinopods also absorb uterine fluid, this 'suction' effect, brings the blastocyst nearer to the endometrium and immobilise it.

References

  1. ↑ Adams, SM et al. Manipulation of the follicular phase: Uterodomes and pregnancy - is there a correlation? BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2001) 1:2 http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2393-1-2.pdf
  2. ↑ Kabir-Salmani, M et al. Secretory role for human uterodomes (pinopods): secretion of LIF. Molecular Human Reproduction 2005 11(8):553-559 http://molehr.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/11/8/553
  3. ↑ Quinn, CE and Casper, RF. Pinopodes: a questionable role in endometrial receptivity. Human Reproduction Update 2009 15(2):229-236 http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/15/2/229


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