Epithelial kinetics affect Langerhans' cells of mouse vaginal epithelium

Langerhans' cells were found to vary in their morphology and density in the vaginal epithelium of ovariectomized mice stimulated by single daily injections of oestrogen. In ATPase-stained epithelial sheet preparations, Langerhans' cells were small and stellate in dense distribution after ovariectomy produced epithelial atrophy. They became highly dendritic in sparse distribution as epithelial thickness increased with high mitotic activity. Keratinization when prolonged by daily oestrogen injections did not affect their morphology or distribution.