Electron-microscopic study on the development of permanently proliferated and cornified vaginal epithelium in mice treated neonatally with androgen.
In the vaginal epithelium of mice given 5 daily injections of 100 microgram 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone from the day of birth, highly electron-dense cells with numerous cytoplasmic processes appeared in the basal layer within 35 days after the last injection. These cells were similar to the B cells reported in earlier works in neonatally estrogen-treated mice undergoing ovary-independent, permanent proliferation and cornification. The present electron-microscopic study suggests that the permanently proliferating, highly electron-dense cells are derived from electronlucent cells (clear cells) appearing in the basal layer of the vaginal epithelium 15-20 days after neonatal androgen treatment.
D000367:Age Factors; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D002455:Cell Division; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D000728:Androgens; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone