Leucine and arginine regulate trophoblast motility through mTOR-dependent and independent pathways in the preimplantation mouse embryo

► Arginine and leucine are necessary and sufficient to induce trophoblast motility. ► Arginine and leucine have both mTORC1-dependent and independent actions. ► p70S6K or 4EBP activity do not correlate with motility suggesting a separate pathway. ► In vivo mTOR activation suggests uterine factors induce mTORC1 regulated motility. ► Amino acids may be components of the in vivo uterine-embryo implantation crosstalk.