A Role for Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase 1 in Vascular Remodeling During Endometrial Decidualization

The study investigated the role of steroid 5α-reductase type 1 (SRD5A1) in endometrial decidualization, a process crucial for fertility, by using SRD5A1-deficient mice (Srd5a1-/- mice) and a model of induced decidualization. The researchers found that the absence of 5α-reductase significantly affected the decidualization response, vessel permeability, and the regulation of angiogenesis signaling pathways, particularly those involving vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). When dihydrotestosterone was administered to Srd5a1-/- mice during decidualization, it restored the decidualization responses and angiogenesis gene expression to levels seen in wild type mice. These results suggest that intracrine androgen signaling, via dihydrotestosterone production, is essential for optimal decidualization and vascular development in the endometrium. The study highlights the potential for targeting androgen-dependent signaling to improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes, especially considering the decline in androgen availability with age.