Abstract
The modification of the endometrial extracellular matrix (ECM) is a crucial step for embryo implantation in many mammalian species. The embryo of the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) displays a 4-5 months long temporary reduction of developmental pace termed embryonic diapause. A reduction of epithelial cell height during diapause has previously been described. Co-occurring ECM modifications may contribute to the changes of the intra-uterine milieu during reactivation at which the embryo regains developmental velocity. We assessed the localization of five ECM proteins (collagen I and IV, fibronectin, laminin, and extracellular matrix protein 1) using immunohistochemistry in animals with early, late, and post-diapause (elongating) embryos. While our results confirmed the reduction of epithelial height during diapause, we only detected marginal differences in localization and staining intensities of the selected ECM proteins. Major ECM remodelling events in the roe deer endometrium are thus likely to occur only at implantation.