The morphology of cultured cells from the mouse endometrium and decidua

Single cell preparations were obtained from the endometrium of virgin and pseudopregnant mice as well as Day 5 and Day 8 deciduomata and were maintained in culture for periods of one to ten days. Three cell types, believed to be stromal cells, epithelial cells and macrophages, were identified in cultures prepared from virgin and Day 3 pseudopregnant uteri. Two further cell types, believed to represent mesometrial and antimesometrial decidual cells, were identified in cultures of cells from deciduomata. Granulated metrial gland cells were rarely seen, even in cultures of Day 8 deciduomata cells. Morphological changes in the cultured cells occurred with time and this was particularly evident in the cells believed to be derived from endometrial stromal cells and decidual cells. It is suggested that this represents in vitro growth of the cells which is independent of in vitro decidualization.