J Reprod Infert arij001 Journal of Reproduction & Infertility 2228-5482 2251-676X Avicenna Research Institute jri60074 A Study on the Presence of Osteopontin and α3β1 Integrin in the Endometrium of Diabetic Rats at the Time of Embryo Implantation ZarrinYasamanIsfahan Medical Student Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranBakhteyariAbbasDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranNikpourParvanehDepartment of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranChild Growth and Development Research Center, Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranMostafaviFatemeh SadatDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranEskandariNahidDepartment of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranMatinfarMohammadDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranAboutorabiRoshanakDepartment of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 21 2 087 94 24 4 2019 8 9 2019

<p>Background: Embryo implantation is a critical and multifactorial phenomenon which can be affected by any alteration in molecular micro construction of endometrium. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of diabetes on osteopontin (OPN) and &alpha;3&beta;1 integrin proteins level at the time of endometrial receptivity.<br /> Methods: Twenty-eight female rats were divided into control, diabetic, pioglitazone-treated and metformin-treated groups. Western blot was performed to determine the OPN and &alpha;3&beta;1 integrin proteins in rats&rsquo; endometrium at the time of implantation. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and p&lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.<br /> Results: OPN increased significantly in the diabetic group in comparison with control (p&lt;0.001), metformin-treated (p=0.008) and pioglitazone-treated groups (p&lt;0.001). Furthermore, &alpha;3&beta;1 integrin protein level in diabetic group had a significant difference in comparison with that of the control (p&lt;0.001), metformin-treated (p=0.026) and pioglitazone-treated groups (p&lt;0.001).<br /> Conclusion: OPN and &alpha;3&beta;1 integrin proteins are involved in embryo implantation and their changes in diabetic condition can affect fertility. Treatment with pioglitazone and metformin improved the level of OPN and &alpha;3&beta;1 integrin proteins while pioglitazone was more effective.</p>