Attachment reaction of rat uterine luminal epithelium. 3. The effect of estradiol, estrone and estriol on the morphology of the luminal epithelium of the spayed, virgin rat.

Abstract

A study was undertaken to analyze the attachment reaction of the uterine luminal epithelium occurring when implantation begins. It dealt with the ultrastructural effect of estradiol estrone and estriol on the luminal epithelium of the sprayed virgin rat. The aim of the study was to form a background for the evaluation of the estrogen action on the progesterone-stiumlated epithelium and to analyze the possible influences of different antifertile substances on the luminal epithelium. Subcutaneous injections of .1 mcg estradiol caused nucleolar enlargement in the rats within 6 hours and within 12 hours the cytoplasmic polyribosomes and the granular endoplasmic reticulum were increased. In 24 hours the microvilli of the apical surface appeared taller and more numerous and many lysosome-like structures were present supranuclearly. In 2 days the cells were atrophied had tall microvilli and contained dense granules apically and much granular endoplasmic reticulum. The Golgi apparatus was enlarged and consisted of stacks of narrow cisterane. This cellular picture was designated the estrogen picture. It was also induced by 5 1 and .05 mcg estradiol while .01 mcg seemed to have little effect on the ultrastructure. In 4 days the cells had more dense granules apically and more granular reticulum. They also contained large autophagic vacuoles. The morphological data supported current ideas on the effect of estrogen on cellular protein synthesis and lysosomal enzymes. Both estrone and estriol respectively induced an estrogen picture. From the calculated effective ratio between estradiol estrone and estriol it is apparent that the relative potencies of the estrogens are dependent on what parameter is used.