Ultrastructural Changes in the Rat Endometrium during the Normal Estrous Cycle: Interactions between Epithelial Cells, Stromal Cells, Macrophages and Eosinophils

摘要

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.