FAQ

What is tested in home pregnancy tests?

-The level of hCG in urine is tested, high hCG concentration is a strong indication that a female is pregnant.

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How long does implantation take?

-The implantation process takes about a week (7 days).

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What are pinopodes?

-These are projections from the endometrium and endocytose macromolecules and uterine fluid to decrease the volume of the uterus. This allows the embryo and uterus epithelium to become more closely situated and thus helps implanatation. Therefore the idea that pinopodes may determine the implantation window to some extent is a likely possibility.

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How do secretions help implantation and inhibit menstruation?

-Secretions loosen decidual cells from each other, preventing the embryo from being rejected by the mother, and also trigger the final decidualization stage and prevent menstruation.

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Why does the blastocyst secrete immunosuppressive agents?

 -The blastocyst releases immunosuppressive agents to stop the female immune system from targetting it for degradation, as it would be seen as a foreign body.

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What proteins are immunosuppressive agents?

-Platelet-activating factor, hCG, early pregnancy factor, immunosuppressive factor, prostaglandin E2, interleukin 1-alpha, interleukin 6, interferon-alpha, leukaemia inhibitory factor and colony-stimulating factor.

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