Cell Biology of the Uterus

The uterus has diverse roles in establishing and maintaining pregnancy and in parturition. Estrogen and progesterone, the major steroid hormones that regulate growth, cell proliferation and overall uterine activity, are critical for many uterine processes. In addition, the uterus consists of various specialized cell types and interactions between these constituent cell types also plays critical roles in mediating hormonal signals, uterine development and overall uterine function, and these are the focus of this chapter.