Human uterodomes (pinopods) do not display pinocytotic function.
BACKGROUND
The term 'pinopod' or 'pinopode' has been used indiscriminately since the 1970s to describe most apical structures on uterine epithelial cells and as such suggests a cross species structural functionality. This study looks at the apical cellular protrusions in rats and humans and compares their pinocytotic ability.


METHODS
We have utilized standard tracer techniques in an attempt to determine the functionality of the uterine surface protrusions in the human based on results reported in rats.


RESULTS
Pinopods in rat tissue demonstrated tracer uptake, but no tracer uptake in the apical protrusions of human uterine epithelium was evident.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that the uterine surface protrusions observed in the human are not pinocytotic and therefore probably perform a function different from similar structures observed in rats and mice. This highlights the need to alter nomenclature from pinopods to uterodomes.
Adams
S M
SM
Departments of Anatomy & Histology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. susan@anatomy.usyd.edu.au
Gayer
N
N
Hosie
M J
MJ
Murphy
C R
CR
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D010873:Pinocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure