Summary
Cyclical changes in bovine endometrial gland cells were investigated in six heifers, three at estrus and three at day twelve of the estrous cycle in the luteal phase. The epithelium is generally low at estrus but high in the luteal phase. There are ciliated and non-ciliated cells. The ciliated cells are fewer and lighter and show inconspicuous cyclical changes.
The secretory cells show more prominent changes. At estrus, their free border is flat with short microvilli. The conspicuous rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum may synthesize protein for later secretion. The Golgi complex seems inactive. The high number of cytosegresomes and dense bodies might express cell regression caused by endocrine changes.
In the luteal phase, the cells are lighter with long microvilli. The Golgi apparatus shows vacuoles and immature secretory droplets. Secretory vacuoles with light contents occur in the apical cytoplasm. Some of them appear to discharge their contents into the lumen. This is interpreted as evidence of merocrine secretion. Accumulations of tubular, smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, masses of glycogen granules, and several fat droplets are present.
Some lymphocytes and degranulated granulocytes are seen near the basement membrane, more frequently at estrus.
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Financial support for this study was received from “Anslaget för främjande av medicinsk forskning vid Veterinärhögskolan”.
The authors express their gratitude to Prof. A. Bane and Dr. J.-E. E. Ringmar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, for their help with the selection and clinical control of the animals and for keeping them in good condition.
Post doctoral fellow, No. 43-KO-52 (1968) from the Educational Ministry of Japan.
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Kojima, Y., Selander, U. Cyclical changes in the fine structure of bovine endometrial gland cells. Z. Zellforsch. 104, 69–86 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00340050
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00340050