Progestation

ABSTRACT Autoradiographic, enzymic and histologic studies on uteri of pregnant rats were carried out to follow the endometrial modifications which take place during progestation (days L0 – L4) and culminate in the state of uterine receptivity essential for ovum-implantation. Pulse labelling with tritiated thymidine (radioactive DNA precursor) on L0, L1 and L2 revealed a sequence of cell renewal in luminal and glandular epithelium and endometrial stroma. On L3 and L4 stromal cells showed extensive incorporation of tritiated thymidine. This synthetic activity was associated with endometrial preparation for decidualization and was evoked at least in part, by the surge of oestrogen on L3. All layers of the uterine wall were heavily infiltrated on L0 and resembled the site of an acute inflammatory reaction. Subsequently, polymorphonuclear infiltration diminished and monocytic cells predominated. On L3 a spatial arrangement was observed: eosinophiles were concentrated in the basal endometrium and monocytic cells in the subepithelial stroma. A comparison was made between such a shift in migratory cells in the uterus and similar phenomena which occur in inflammatory and immune reactions. Activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases, of ATP-ase and succinic dehydrogenase were low on L0 and L1 during the periods of infiltration, degeneration and regeneration of luminal and glandular epithelium. Enzymic activities increased on the following days, (L3 and L4). Vascular dilation and engorgement and endometrial oedema were observed near the blastocysts on L4. Most blastocysts incorporated tritiated thymidine after 14.00 h on L4, but some showed uptake before loss of the zona which occurs usually between 14.00 and 16.00 h; therefore, it was assumed that the permeability of the zona increases prior to being shed. Activities of succinic dehydrogenase and acid and alkaline phosphatases were demonstrable in blastocysts on L4 while they were still »free« in the uterine lumen.