Related Experiment Videos
Atrophy and apoptosis in the cyclical human endometrium
The Journal of Pathology
|July 1, 1976
Summary
Human endometrial epithelial cells undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis) throughout the menstrual cycle. These apoptotic bodies, visible as granules, are most abundant at the cycle
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Histology
Background:
- The human endometrium undergoes cyclical changes.
- Cellular turnover is a key aspect of endometrial remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of apoptotic bodies in the human endometrium.
- To assess the utility of apoptotic bodies as a marker for dating endometrial tissue.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy was used to examine human cyclical endometrium.
- Light microscopy was employed to identify specific cellular features.
Main Results:
- Significant loss of gland epithelial cells via apoptosis was observed in late secretory, premenstrual, and menstrual phases.
- Apoptotic bodies, appearing as basophilic or Feulgen-positive granules, were also present to a lesser extent in the proliferative phase.
- These granules accumulate most heavily towards the end of the menstrual cycle.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis of endometrial gland epithelial cells is a continuous process throughout the menstrual cycle.
- The abundance of apoptotic bodies serves as a reliable indicator for dating endometrial curettings.