The plasma membrane transformation is a concept introduced by Christopher R. Murphy of

The University of Sydney The University of Sydney (USYD), also known as Sydney University, or informally Sydney Uni, is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and is one of the country's six ...

to encapsulate the idea that a series of changes in the plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells is essential to the development of the receptivity of the

uterus The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', plural ''uteri'') or womb () is the organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans that accommodates the embryonic and fetal development of one or more embryos until birth. The ...

(womb) for attachment of the blastocyst (fertilized egg) and the beginning of a

pregnancy Pregnancy is the time during which one or more offspring develops (gestation, gestates) inside a woman, woman's uterus (womb). A multiple birth, multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins. Pregnancy usually occur ...

. Originally advanced in 1993 (Murphy 1993) and subsequently elaborated in 1994 (Murphy and Shaw 1994), the concept has gained widespread acceptance as a useful way to think about changes in the epithelial cells which line the

as they progress towards becoming receptive for blastocyst implantation. Subsequent reviews in 2000Murphy, C.R., M.J. Hosie and M.B. Thompson. The plasma membrane transformation facilitates pregnancy in both reptiles and lizards. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 127: 433-439. 2000. and 2004 elaborated on the concept which has been extended to encompass all placental animals with live birth.

References

{{reflist Fertility medicine