William B. Atkinson

Effects of Ovarian Hormones on Certain Cytoplasmic Reactions in the Vaginal Epithelium of the Mouse.

Summary The amount and distribution of cytoplasmic ribonucleic acid, alkaline phosphatase and mucin was studied in the vaginal epithelium of ovariectomized mice and in castrates injected with estrogen and progesterone. In the untreated castrate the vaginal epithelium contains negligible quantities of all these cellular constituents. Injection of estrogen, and estrogen with progesterone concurrently, results in a marked increase in both phosphatase and ribonucleic acid. Mucification occurs only when the two hormones act simultaneously. Progesterone alone has no effect on any of the substances studied.

Histochemical studies on the secretion of mucus by the human endocervix

Abstract The secretion of mucin by the glands of the human uterine cervix has been studied cytochemically throughout the menstrual cycle. Relatively constant quantities of mucin are present in the apical cytoplasm of the cells of the glandular epithelium at all stages of the cycle. However, active secretion of this substance is a rhythmic process. Large amounts of mucin are liberated during the midcycle, whereas relatively little secretion is found to occur during the late secretory, menstrual, and early proliferative phases. In contrast to the normal cyclic cervix, little or no mucin is produced in the cervices of postmenopausal women. During pregnancy, on the other hand, there is a marked increase in the amount of mucin present.

Effect of steroid sex hormones on distribution of alkaline phosphatase in uterus of mouse.

Summary The distribution of alkaline phosphatase was studied in the uteri of untreated ovariectomized mice and in castrates injected with 3 steroid sex hormones. In the untreated castrate large amounts of the enzyme are present in the longitudinal muscle and smaller amounts are found in the circular muscle. Occasional small amounts are also present in the uterine glands and epithelium. Injection of estrogen is followed by marked increase of phosphatase in the uterine glands and epithelium and in the circular muscle. Progesterone and androgen do not have this effect. Progesterone given concurrently with estrogen does not alter the enzyme response to estrogen.

EFFECTS OF OVARIAN HORMONES UPON UTERINE PIGMENTATION IN VITAMIN E-DEFICIENT RATS

Acid-fast pigmentation of the skeletal and cardiac musculature and the smooth muscle of the reproductive tract is now recognized as being characteristic of vitamin E deficiency in the rat. The chocolate-brown discoloration of the uterus was first noted in the E-deficient rat by Martin and Moore.’ Subsequent histological studies demonstrated that pigment was deposited in fine granules in the cells of the uterine musculature?, Mason and Emmel“ further noted the presence of numerous pigment-laden macrophages scattered throughout the uterus of the E-deficient rat. Their findings indicated that the pigment was deposited first in the muscle cells and later transferred to the macrophages. The rale of the gonads in the regulation of the functional activity of the musculature of the reproductive tract, particularly that of the uterus, has suggested the possibility of a physiological relationship between the gonadal hormones and vitamin E. Mason and EmmeP did not observe any diminution in muscle pigmentation in prepuberally ovariectomized animals as compared with intact controls. Ovariectomy, however, was followed by a decrease in the number of pigment-containing macrophages appearing during the course of the avitaminosis. More re~ent ly ,~ it has been shown that a definite decrease in muscle pigment occurs when ovariectomized rats are maintained on it diet containing a lower percentage of fat than the ration used by Mason and Emmel. The present experiments were undertaken to ascertain the effect of ovarian hormone treatment upon the deposition of uterine pigment in ovariectomized E-deficient rats maintained on a relatively low unsaturated fat intake.

Estrogen Response and Pigmentation of the Uterus in Vit. E-Deficient Rat.

Summary (1) Rats ovariectomized at weaning were maintained on a vitamin E-de-ficient diet for from 6 weeks to 10 months. No difference in the uterine weight response to injected estradiol benzoate was discernible between these animals and control animals of the same age maintained on the same diet supplemented by alpha-tocopherol acetate (2) The uterine weight response to alphaestradiol benzoate was significantly greater at 3 months of age than at 10 months regardless of tocopherol administration. (3) Accumulation of acid-fast pigment in the uterus is characteristic of intact rats maintained on a vitamin E-deficient diet. Ovariectomy at weaning prevented the appearance of uterine pigmentation in animals maintained on the deficient diet for as long as 10 months.

Absence of prolongation of pseudopregnancy by induction of deciduomata in the mouse.

Summary Unlike the rat, the induction of deciduomata does not prolong pseudo-pregnancy in the mouse. The mechanism responsible for this marked species difference in response to apparently identical physiological conditions is obscure.