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Ultrastructural changes in the rat endometrium during the normal estrous cycle

Interactions between epithelial cells, stromal cells, macrophages and eosinophils

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Abstract

Dynamic changes in the endometrial stroma during the following 5 stages of the estrous cycle in normal rats were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Diestrus: Macrophages migrated into the endometrial stroma from blood vessels. Proestrus: Eosinophils migrated into the endometrial stroma from blood vessels. They possessed specific crystalloid granules and small granules. Estrus: The endometrial stroma was swollen and stromal cells degenerated. Eosinophils contained a few or no crystalloid granules, while the number of small granules increased. Metestrus-1: Epithelial projections protruded through the basal lamina and established focal adhesions to stromal cells. Stromal cells also adhered to one another. Metestrus-2: Most eosinophils were engulfed by macrophages. In this report, we discuss the interaction of epithelial cells with endometrial stromal cells during the normal estrous cycle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5, Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, 113, Tokyo, Japan

    Toshio Igarashi & Tsutomu Araki

  2. Central Institute for Electron Microscopic Research, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5, Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, 113, Tokyo, Japan

    Shigeru Sato & Kaoru Aihara

Authors
  1. Toshio Igarashi
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  2. Shigeru Sato
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  3. Kaoru Aihara
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  4. Tsutomu Araki
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Igarashi, T., Sato, S., Aihara, K. et al. Ultrastructural changes in the rat endometrium during the normal estrous cycle. Med Electron Microsc 28, 200–209 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02347964

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02347964

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