Deletion of <i>Npl</i> on embryo implantation and the expression of implantation and decidualization markers in gestation day 4.5 (D4.5), D5.5 and D7.5 uteri.

<p><i>+/+</i>, wild type (WT); <i>−/−</i>, <i>Npl</i>^(−/−). A. A representative uterus from D4.5 WT mice. B. A representative uterus from D4.5 <i>Npl</i>^(−/−) mice. Red arrow, implantation site. C. the number of implantation sites on D4.5. N, the number of female mice in each group; error bars, standard deviation. D–G. Expression of implantation markers in D4.5 uterus by <i>in situ</i> hybridization using <i>Prap1</i> and <i>Abp1</i> antisense probes, respectively. D. <i>Prap1</i> in WT uterus. E. <i>Prap1</i> in <i>Npl</i>^(−/−) uterus. F. <i>Abp1</i> in WT uterus. G. <i>Abp1</i> in <i>Npl</i>^(−/−) uterus. H–K. Expression of decidualization marker, <i>Dtprp</i>, in D5.5 and D7.5 uterus by <i>in situ</i> hybridization using <i>Dtprp</i> antisense probes. H. <i>Dtprp</i> in D5.5 WT uterus. I. <i>Dtprp</i> in D5.5 <i>Npl</i>^(−/−) uterus. J. <i>Dtprp</i> in D7.5 WT uterus. K. <i>Dtprp</i> in D7.5 <i>Npl</i>^(−/−) uterus. Red star, embryo; LE, luminal epithelium; D, decidual zone; scale bar, 100 µm (D–G) and 500 µm (H–K). N = 2–3. No signals were detected using <i>Prap1</i>, <i>Abp1</i>, or <i>Dtprp</i> sense probes (data not shown).