Dysregulation of Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) Signalling Pathway by Supraphysiological Dose of Testosterone in Female Sprague Dawley Rats During Development of Endometrial Receptivity

The study on 30 female Sprague Dawley rats examined the effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone on the LIF signaling pathway and endometrial receptivity. Testosterone treatment significantly reduced endometrial and myometrial thickness, decreased the number of glands, and downregulated mRNA levels of LIF, LIFR, JAK1, and STAT3, while upregulating MUC1. These changes suggest that high testosterone levels impair endometrial receptivity by disrupting the LIF signaling pathway, potentially affecting fertility. The combination of testosterone with inhibitors like finasteride and anastrozole did not fully counteract these effects, highlighting the need for further research on androgenic impacts on fertility.