
%0 Journal Article
%A Robertson, SA 
%A Seamark, RF 
%T Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF): one of a family of epithelial cell-derived cytokines in the preimplantation uterus
%J Reproduction, Fertility and Development
%D 1992/08/01
%V 4
%N 4
%P 435-448
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/RD9920435
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/RD9920435 
%X Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is one of a number of lympho-haemapoietic cytokines, including CSF-1, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) now known to be synthesized by epithelial cells in the murine uterus. GM-CSF synthesis is regulated primarily by the ovarian steroid hormone oestrogen, but is also subject to modulation by factors including a seminal component of seminal vesicle origin which stimulates a 20-fold increase in luminal fluid content at mating, and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the T-lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell product interferon-gamma (IFN gamma). In the non-pregnant mouse GM-CSF synthesis peaks at oestrus. Synthesis is maintained at comparable or moderately higher levels during the preimplantation period of pregnancy and in the non-decidualized endometrium during mid gestation. An embryotrophic activity is suggested by studies in vitro that indicate that GM-CSF stimulates attachment and outgrowth of blastocysts. It is postulated that GM-CSF is of major importance to the physiology of pregnancy through its role as a component of a local cytokine circuit acting to recruit and regulate function of endometrial leukocytes, and by its action as interlocutor and important effector arm in embryo-maternal interactions during gestation. 
