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Morphogenesis and postulated functions of decidual cells.
Biological Research in Pregnancy and Perinatology
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Pregnancy involves decidual cells differentiating from endometrial stromal cells. Bone marrow origins suggest these cells, along with metrial gland cells, may have immune functions.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Cell biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Decidual cells are unique cells in the endometrium during pregnancy.
- Decidualisation, the process of decidual cell formation, can be induced experimentally.
- This process involves significant histophysiological changes in endometrial stromal cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the morphological and functional characteristics of decidual cells.
- To investigate the origin and potential immunological role of decidual and metrial gland cells.
Main Methods:
- Histophysiological analysis of endometrial changes during decidualisation.
- Ultrastructural examination of antimesometrial and mesometrial decidual cells.
- Investigating the origin of decidual and metrial gland cells, potentially from bone marrow.
Main Results:
- Decidual cells exhibit distinct ultrastructural features.
- Antimesometrial and mesometrial decidual cells show specific characteristics.
- The metrial gland is a distinct cell population associated with decidualisation.
- Emerging evidence points to bone marrow as the origin for both decidual and metrial gland cells.
Conclusions:
- Decidual cells possess complex structures and defined lifespans, indicating specific functions.
- The potential bone marrow origin of decidual and metrial gland cells suggests an immunological role in pregnancy.