University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Mechanisms underlying uterine function during establishment of pregnancy

Porter, Kevin William

Content Files
PORTER-THESIS-2022.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115680

Description

Title
Mechanisms underlying uterine function during establishment of pregnancy
Author(s)
Porter, Kevin William
Issue Date
2022-04-17
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Bagchi, Indrani C
Committee Member(s)
  • Bagchi, Milan
  • Flaws, Jodi
Department of Study
Comparative Biosciences
Discipline
VMS - Comparative Biosciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Uterus
  • Pregnancy
  • Glucose Transport
  • Glucose Metabolism
  • Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
  • Glut1
  • Glucose Transporter 1
  • Phthalates
  • endocrine-disrupting chemicals
  • Fertility
Abstract
Pregnancy is an extremely complex condition with many processes and steps that need to occur for it to be successful. It is clear that many different problems can arise during pregnancy that can lead to a miscarriage. The reasons for many of these miscarriages remain unknown. Understanding these problems and the underlying mechanisms is important to increase the success of pregnancy and decrease the incidence of miscarriage. A major process for successful pregnancy is maternal glucose metabolism. It is known that this metabolism in the mother helps to assist in the proper development and growth of the fetus. Changes in this metabolism, whether that be increases or decreases, can cause major problems for the maternal-fetal unit including spontaneous abortion and intrauterine growth restrictions for the fetus. Glucose transporter 1 is the predominant glucose transporter of the body controlling glucose homeostasis of most tissues, including the uterine endometrium. Investigating the effects of this glucose transporter in the uterus and pregnancy can shed light on the problems that lessened concentrations of this transporter can have on the success of pregnancy or pregnancy-associated diseases such as Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Another issue that can adversely impact establishment and maintenance of pregnancy is the exposure of the fetus and the mother to endocrine disrupting chemicals such as phthalates. Phthalates are used as plasticizers in many consumer products. These chemicals have been found to have many negative effects on the reproductive system. However, the effect of these chemicals on the uterus remains largely unknown. Thus, understanding the changes that occur in the uterus due to exposure of these chemicals will significantly advance our understanding of the impact these chemicals on the female reproductive system.
Graduation Semester
2022-05
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115680
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2022 Kevin Porter

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