Expression profile of early and mid-secretory human endometrium revealed by RNA-seq: a paired-sample cohort study

Inner uterine lining or endometrium is a unique constantly self-renewed adult tissue that is vital for embryo implantation. As the footrace for universal endometrial receptivity markers continues, RNA-seq remains the most powerful tool for transcriptomic marker discovery. In this study, we aimed to elucidate endometrial maturation mechanisms at transcriptomic level and identify novel robust biomarker candidates for endometrial receptivity in a multicentre study. Additionally, we compared mid-secretory transcriptome profiles from healthy women with profiles of women with repeated IVF failure to find transcriptome changes related to problems with endometrial receptivity. Overall design: The differential gene expression profiles of early secretory and mid-secretory phase endometrial biopsies obtained from 15 healthy fertile women across one menstrual cycle were analysed using paired sample study design, followed by meta-analysis and gene expression profile deconvolution. Additionally, mid-secretory transcriptome profiles of healthy women were compared to those from women with repeated IVF failure (n=39)