Luminal Epithelial Cell Height Research Articles

Postpubertal changes in the histomorphometric characteristics of the uterus of the indigenous West African pig.

The epithelial height and myometrial and endometrial characteristics of the fundus, corpus and neck regions of the uteri of 28 virgin West African indigenous gilts in four age groups (6-8, 10-12, 16-18 and 20-22 months) were histometrically evaluated. Though regionally stable, the height of luminal epithelial cells was, respectively, reduced and enhanced in the fundus and neck regions by 10-12 months. The myometrium was thinner in the fundus and was severely reduced in the corpus region in gilts aged 16-18 months. Contrarily, the endometrium was regionally stable in thickness but underwent some thickening in the corpus of 16 to 18-month-old gilts. The respective occurrence of muscular and glandular tissues in the myometrium and endometrium was regionally influenced while older gilts had more circular muscles than the others. Generally, over 70% of the glands and 60% of the muscles were complex glands and longitudinal muscles, respectively. Results depict the nonuniform growth rates of different uterine tissues in the different regions and suggest that the improvement in the litter-carrying capacity of the uterus in these pigs continues well after puberty.

Investigation of the representativeness of a single endometrial sample and the use of trichrome staining to aid in the detection of endometrial fibrosis in the mare

The uteri of five mares were removed and endometrial samples were procured from 12 specific locations in the uteri and the samples were processed and duplicate sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) or Masson's trichrome stains. The samples were interpreted in a blind manner by one person, and pathologic changes were classified according to Kenney (1). An assessment of stromal fibrous connective tissue and focal periglandular fibrosis or fibrotic nests was made. There were no significant differences in luminal epithelial cell heights or in the occurrence and severity of stromal fibrous connective tissue, focal periglandular fibrosis, or lymphatic lacunae among locations (P > 0.05). There was an effect of location on the occurrence and severity of inflammation (P < 0.05). If only inflammation was considered in categorization, this would have resulted in changing the category in 9 of 60 samples. There was no increase in tendency for inflammation, fibrosis or lymphatic lacunae to occur in the horns versus the body of the uterus, nor of the dorsal versus the ventral uterus (P > 0.05). There was no effect (P > 0.05) of type of stain on the ability to detect incidence and severity of focal periglandular fibrosis. There was an effect (P < 0.05) of type of stain on the ability to detect the incidence and severity of stromal fibrous connective tissue. The use of the trichrome stain showed slightly increased distribution of stromal fibrous connective tissue.

Differential Estrogen and Antiestrogen Responsiveness of the Uterus During Development in the Fetal, Neonatal and Immature Guinea Pig

After 2-day estradiol treatments, wet weight increases in fetuses, newborns and immature guinea pigs by (means +/- SEM) 75 +/- 4%, 170 +/- 16% and 234 +/- 25%, respectively; while after 3-day tamoxifen treatments they are 83 +/- 11%, 157 +/- 35% and 127 +/- 9%, respectively. During the same periods, estradiol increases the uterine content of DNA while the effect of tamoxifen on uterine DNA decreases throughout development. Histologically, both estradiol and tamoxifen induce in the fetus an increase in the size of the stroma and myometrium. Estradiol or tamoxifen, respectively, increase the luminal epithelial cell height by (means +/- SEM) 95 +/- 2% and 67 +/- 2% in fetuses, 286 +/- 20% and 100 +/- 2% in newborns and 260 +/- 10% and 138 +/- 4% in immature animals. Luminal epithelial cell number increases in fetuses, newborns and immature animals by (means +/- SEM) 167 +/- 10%, 248 +/- 50% and 76 +/- 15%, respectively, after estradiol treatments and 160 +/- 20%, 69 +/- 15% and 17 +/- 5%, respectively, after tamoxifen treatments. Uterine epithelial growth invading the stroma was observed in both estradiol- and tamoxifen-treated fetuses. In neonatal or immature animals, estradiol increases the size and the number of endometrial glands, while tamoxifen has progressively less effects on endometrial glands and on the myometrium. It is concluded that: 1) the estradiol-induced uterotropic effect increases progressively in fetal, neonatal and immature animals; and 2) throughout development, tamoxifen has progressively weaker estrogenic properties than estradiol.

Rat uterine polyamine biosynthetic decarboxylase activities following multiple injections of estradiol-17B and/or estriol

A single Injection of 0.5 μg estradiol-17B (E2) plus 0.5 μg estriol (E3) stimulated a different pattern in 22–24 day-old rat uterine ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) activities than was Induced by either a single Injection of 0.5 μg E2 or multiple injections of 0.5 μg E3. Differences included alterations in enzyme activity peak timing as well as activity duration. Every 3 hour injections of 0.05 μg E2 induced maximum uterine ODC activity at 4, 24, 32, and 40 hours, intermediate activity at 48, 64, and 72 hours as well as a small peak by 56 hours. When 0.05 μg E2 plus 0.05 μg E3 were injected simitaneously every 3 hours, the ODC activity pattern was similar except that activity fell to intermediate levels by 40 hours. It is suggested that E3 alterations of E2 induced uterine enzyme activities (when monitored at frequent intervals) could be physiological alterations in uterine growth responses due to E2–E3 hormone interactions. However, there appeared to be no differences between E2 or E2 plus E3 Induction of DNA synthesis and luminal epithelial cell height and cross-sectional area or ODC and SAMDC activities when measured at 24, 48, or 72 hours.

Differential antiestrogen action in the immature rat uterus: A comparison of hydroxylated antiestrogens with high affinity for the estrogen receptor

-The non-steroidal antiestrogens LY117018 and monohydroxytamoxifen are partial agonists in the 3-day immature rat uterine weight test. Both compounds stimulated increases in uterine progesterone receptor concentration (as determined by DCC assay and SDG analysis) and luminal epithelial cell height. However, LY117018 was much less estrogenic than monohydroxytamoxifen. The study also showed that the antiestrogenic effects of LY117018 and monohydroxytamoxifen could be reversed in vivo by increasing doses of estradiol. The partial uterotrophic effect of monohydroxytamoxifen and full uterotrophic effects of estradiol were both inhibited by high doses of LY117018 at an approximate dosage ratio of 1:24, w/w. This result suggests a common mechanism for the action of estradiol and the hydroxylated antiestrogens. Since LY117018 reversed the binding of [ 3H]estradiol and estrogencompetable [ 3H]monohydroxytamoxifen binding in the rat uterus in vivo, the effects of nonsteroidal antiestrogens on gross uterine wet weight can be explained by competitive interaction with estradiol via the estrogen receptor mechanism. However, the weakly estrogenic antiestrogen LY117018 was unable to inhibit estrogen-stimulated rises in luminal epithelium cell height and progesterone receptor levels. These data suggest a differential interaction by LY 117018 in the rat uterus so that only selected estrogen stimulated effects i.e., uterine wet weight, are antagonized by this particular “antiestrogenic” dose of the drug.

The role of progesterone in implantation in the sheep.

Merino ewes were ovariectomized on days 4, 8, or 12 of pregnancy and injected daily from that time with 1, 4, or 16 mg progesterone in oil. The ewes were killed on day 20 and examined for embryos. There was a clear effect of dose of progesterone on the number and viability of embryos. Of the ewes receiving 1, 4, and 16 mg progesterone there were 0 out of 12, 2 out of 11, and 11 out of 14 with viable embryos on day 20. The effect of increasing progesterone was also seen in significantly increased glandular and luminal epithelial cell heights in ewes receiving 16 mg per day.

Role of progesterone in implantation in the sheep.

Merino ewes were ovariectomized on Days 4 8 or 12 of pregnancy and injected daily from that time with 1- 4- or 16-mg progesterone in oil. The ewes were killed on Day 20 and examined for embryos. Sections of uteri were examined histologically. There was a clear effect of dose of progesterone on the number and viability of embryos. Of the ewes receiving 1- 4- and 16-mg progesterone there were 0/12 2/11 and 11/14 with viable embryos on Day 20. The effect of increasing progesterone was also seen in significantly increased glandular and luminal epithelial cell heights in ewes receiving 16 mg day. Plasma progesterone was measured daily during Day 1-5 and twice daily during Days 6-15 of pregnancy of of the estrous cycle. The number of corpora lutea and embryos in these animals was verified at laparotomy on Days 16-18. Mean plasma progesterone in pregnant and nonpregnant ewes did not differ significantly until Day 16. The individual pattern of progesterone levels was characterized by a large (up to 16 ng/ml) and transient peak in the period from Days 11-14. Different ewes had peak values at different times so that the mean progesterone values took the form of a variable plateau of 2-3 ng/ml lasting several days. Peak levels of progesterone appear in the plasma at times consistent with the idea that this hormone is responsible for the rapid preimplantation growth phase of the embryo during Days 11-15.(FULL TEXT)