Developmental regulation of decidual cell polyploidy at the site of implantation.

Polyploidy has been reported in several animal cells, as well as within humans; however the mechanism of developmental regulation of this process remains poorly understood. Polyploidy occurs in normal biologic processes as well as in pathologic states. Decidual polyploid cells are terminally differentiated cells with a critical role in continued uterine development during embryo implantation and growth. Here we review the mechanisms involved in polyploidy cell formation in normal developmental processes, with focus on known regulatory aspects in decidual cells.