title: Studies on the development of cell contacts and of the intercellular matrix during decidualization in the rat.
abstract: Cell contacts between developing decidual cells were examined in thin sections and in replicas of freeze-cleaved tissue of rat uterus. At the time of implantation only puncta adhaerentia were found between stromal cells. Gap junctions appeared 24 h after decidualization and thereafter increased in number and extent. Thus, there is little morphological evidence for a propagation of the initial stimulus for decidualization via gap junctions. An increase in amorphous, extracellular material is noted after decidualization with a concomitant decrease of collagen fibers. This amorphous material probably represents fibrinoid.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003656:Decidua / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats / Q000033:anatomy & histology*