Scanning electron microscopic study of hedgehog uteri.
Ultrastructural studies of hedgehog uteri (Erinaceus europaeus L.) have been made using animals in anestrus, in estrus and in estrus after sojourn of a week with a male. In estrus and anestrus the uterine epithelium is homogeneous, regularly interrupted by orifices of glands. It is composed of microvillous cells only. Microvilli decrease in number and length in anestrus. A new type of cell, a ciliated cell, appears after copulation. Probable correlation of ultrastructural aspects of endometrium with hormonal situation is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D003307:Copulation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D006364:Hedgehogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006605:Hibernation; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000648:ultrastructure*