The plasma membrane transformation is a concept introduced by Christopher R. Murphy of
The University of Sydney to encapsulate the idea that a series of changes in the
plasma membrane
The cell membrane (also known as the plasma membrane (PM) or cytoplasmic membrane, and historically referred to as the plasmalemma) is a biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the outside environment (t ...
of
uterine epithelial cells is essential to the development of the receptivity of the
uterus (womb) for attachment of the
blastocyst
The blastocyst is a structure formed in the early embryonic development of mammals. It possesses an inner cell mass (ICM) also known as the ''embryoblast'' which subsequently forms the embryo, and an outer layer of trophoblast cells called the t ...
(fertilized egg) and the beginning of a
pregnancy.
Originally advanced in 1993 (Murphy 1993) and subsequently elaborated in 1994 (Murphy and Shaw 1994), the concept has gained widespread acceptance as a useful way to think about changes in the epithelial cells which line the
uterus as they progress towards becoming receptive for blastocyst
implantation.
Subsequent reviews in 2000
[Murphy, C.R., M.J. Hosie and M.B. Thompson. The plasma membrane transformation facilitates pregnancy in both reptiles and lizards. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 127: 433-439. 2000.] and 2004
elaborated on the concept which has been extended to encompass all placental animals with live birth.
References
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Fertility medicine