User:Z5014754

Introduction

The uterus is an organ of the female internal reproductive tract that houses the conceptus for the vast majority of development. Outside of pregnancy the uterus has an inner lining (endometrium) that undergoes cyclic changes in response to reproductive hormones. However, following implantation, these cycles cease and the endometrium must undergo morphological and functional changes in order to accommodate development of the conceptus. This process of changes, known as uterine decidualisation, causes the endometrium to form highly specialised cells known as decidua. These changes are largely caused by high levels of maternal progesterone.