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Mast cells in the normal uterus and in dysfunctional uterine bleeding
L Drudy1, B Sheppard, J Bonnar
1TCD Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sir Patrick Dun Research Centre, St. Jame's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Insights
Mast cells are present throughout the human uterus. Their numbers did not significantly change during the menstrual cycle in patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB).
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Immunology
- Gynecopathology
Background:
- Mast cells are immune cells found in various tissues, including the female reproductive tract.
- Their role in uterine physiology and pathology, particularly in dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and cyclical changes of mast cells in the human uterus.
- To determine if mast cell numbers correlate with menstrual phases or blood loss in DUB.
Main Methods:
- Human uterine tissues were fixed in 10% formalin.
- Azure B staining was employed for mast cell identification.
- Light microscopy was used to quantify mast cell numbers per mm² in different uterine regions throughout the menstrual cycle.
Main Results:
- Mast cells were detected in all examined regions of the corpus uteri.
- No significant differences in mast cell counts were observed across menstrual, proliferative, or secretory phases in DUB patients.
- No correlation was found between secretory phase mast cell numbers and average menstrual blood loss in DUB.
Conclusions:
- Mast cell distribution is widespread in the human uterus.
- Mast cell numbers in the uterine wall do not appear to be significantly altered by menstrual cycle phases in DUB.
- Mast cell presence in the uterine wall does not correlate with menstrual blood loss severity in DUB.
Abstract:
Mast cells in the human uterus were examined following fixation in 10% formalin and staining with Azure B. Mast cells were present in all parts of the corpus uteri. Cyclical changes were observed by light microscopy for mast cell numbers/mm2 in the functional endometrium, basal endometrium and the endometrial/myometrial border throughout the menstrual cycle. No significant differences were found for mast cell numbers in the menstrual, proliferative or secretory phases of the menstrual cycle in dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB). No correlation was found between mast cell numbers in the uterine wall in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and average menstrual blood loss for patients with DUB.