The mast cell and histamine concentration of the human post-menopausal uterus

Mast cells and histamine concentrations have been studied in uteri removed by hysterectomy from women in their post-menopausal years. Mast cell numbers were expressed as mean numbers/mm2 following fixation in 10% formalin and staining with Azure B. The majority of mast cells, in both the endometrium and myometrium, were very densely stained. Mast cells in the myometrium showed a significant negative correlation with years post-menopausal (rs = -0.52, P less than 0.05). Extracted histamine from uterine tissue was condensed with o-phthaldialdehyde to form a fluorophore and its fluorescence was measured at 450 microns using a spectrofluorometer. No significant correlation was found between histamine concentrations in the uterine wall and years post-menopausal.