Testosterone Down-Regulates Expression of αVβ3-Integrin, E-Cadherin, and Mucin-1 During Uterine Receptivity Period in Rats

The study investigated the impact of testosterone on the expression of uterine receptivity molecules (αvβ3 integrin, E-cadherin, and mucin-1) during early pregnancy in 30 ovariectomized female Sprague-Dawley rats. The results showed that sex-steroid replacement significantly increased the expression of these molecules (p<0.05). However, administering testosterone between days 6 and 8 significantly decreased their expression (p<0.05), and this effect was not counteracted by flutamide or finasteride. The findings suggested that testosterone could reduce the expression of uterine receptivity molecules, potentially interfering with early pregnancy establishment and adversely affecting female fertility.