Arnebia preventing the expression of Muc1 protein decrease results in anti-implantation in early pregnant mice

Background: The study was designed to explore the relationship between the anti-implantation activity of arnebia and the expression of Mud 1 protein in the endometrium of early pregnant mice. Study design: The aqueous extract of arnebia was administered to mice on Days 1-4 postcoitum, and the mice were sacrificed to asses the implantation rate on Day 8 postcoitum. On the night of Day 4 postcoitum and on the morning of Day 5 postcoitum, the treated mice were sacrificed to study the influence on endometrium. The extract of arnebia was administered to mice on Days 11-14 postcoitum, and the mice were sacrificed to asses abortion on Day 18 postcoitum. The reversible effect of arnebia on mice was also studied. Results: The endometrium in the experimental group exhibited morphological changes compared with that in the control group. The expression of Muc1 protein was increased with the increasing doses of arnebia, while in control group, it increased a little. The experiments of pseudopregnancy and normal mice show the identical expression of Muc1. The anti-implantation effect of arnebia was reversible. Conclusion: The arnebia may prevent embryo implantation by inhibiting the decrease of the Mud 1 protein. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.