Increase in lysosomal numbers and activity in the rat uterine luminal and glandular epithelium during early pregnancy: a histochemical study.
Lysosomal acid phosphatase was studied at both the light and electron microscope level in the rat uterine luminal and glandular epithelium, at oestrous, late dioestrous and day 6 of pregnancy. At the light-microscopic level lysosomal numbers were quantified and statistically analysed. A morphological study was also carried out on the lysosomes at the electron-microscopic level in the above-mentioned stages. Quantification of lysosomal numbers found day 6 of pregnancy to have a significantly higher lysosomal population in the luminal and glandular epithelium compared to non-pregnant states. At the electron-microscopic level the luminal epithelial lysosomes were frequently observed in an invaginated or vesiculated form whereas these characteristics were rarely observed during late dioestrous and were non-existent during oestrous. Generally, the lysosomes appeared more active in the luminal epithelium at day 6 of pregnancy compared to the non-pregnant state. The findings are discussed in reference to the role of the lysosome at the time of blastocyst implantation.
Kirk
A T
AT
Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Sydney, Australia.
Murphy
C R
CR
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000135:Acid Phosphatase