Mast cells in the tubal wall in women using an intrauterine contraceptive device.
The number of mast cells in the tubal wall of 33 healthy nonpregnant women, 17 of whom had an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), was investigated. Light microscopy showed that both the muscularis externa and the lamina propria of the tubal wall contained more mast cells in the 17 IUCD users than in the 16 non-users (control group). In both patient groups the mast cell concentration was higher in the muscularis externa than in the lamina propria. Most mast cells of the muscularis externa were more closely related to smooth muscle cells than to blood vessels. The increased number of mast cells in IUCD users may be a factor in the pathogenesis of pelvic inflammatory disease and the ectopic pregnancies that occur in IUCD users.
D000328:Adult; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008854:Microscopy, Electron