Quantitative and Qualitative Changes in the Intraepithelial Lymphocyte Population in the Uterus of Nonpregnant and Pregnant Sheep

Abstract

It is concluded that this unique population of granulated cells is derived from lymphocytes, and that these cells become metabolically active from mid- to late-pregnancy and may play a physiological role during pregnancy or birth. In contrast, the number of nongranulated intraepithelial lymphocytes were suppressed throughout pregnancy and they probably do not play a role in pregnancy.