Role of Factors in Embryo Implantation and Placental Development

Dear Colleagues,

Implantation is a crucial event and a major limiting step a successful pregnancy. Implantation of the embryo into the maternal endometrium is a process finely regulated by a series of factors, which allow synchronization of the differentiation program of both the embryo and the endometrium. Proper embryo–endometrium crosstalk occurs, governed by factors and molecular pathways, and the dysregulation of one or more signals of this complex network may cause implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss, which may lead to infertility. If the limiting step of the implantation is overcome, the rapid growth of the embryo makes a more efficient method of embryo–maternal exchange imperative. This need is met by the placenta and the uteroplacental circulation. Starting to be formed during the second week and becoming definitive during the third month of gestation, the placenta is the main site of exchange between the mother and the embryo. Thus, a proper placental development, fine-tuned by a variety of factors, is crucial for a safe pregnancy, ensuring neonatal and adult life health for the newborn. Indeed, abnormal placentation is responsible for many pregnancy complications, such as fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. The present Special Issue, edited by Dr. Micol Massimiani and Dr. Valentina Lacconi, aims to better clarify and unravel novel factors and molecular pathways regulating blastocyst–endometrium crosstalk and placental development, whose dysregulation might be associated with infertility and pregnancy disorders, and the most recent therapeutic approaches to treat these pathologies.

This Special Issue is now open for submissions. Prospective authors should first send a short abstract or tentative title to the Editorial Office. If the editors deem the topic to be appropriate for inclusion in this Special Issue, the author will be encouraged to submit a full manuscript.

Dr. Micol Massimiani
Dr. Valentina Lacconi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• placental development
• implantation
• embryo development
• pregnancy disorders
• endometrium
• implantation failure
• recurrent pregnancy loss
• decidualization