In-vivo microscopy of the rat endometrial subepithelial capillary plexus during the oestrous cycle and after ovariectomy |
| |
Authors: | P A Rogers A M Macpherson |
| |
Institution: | Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. |
| |
Abstract: | Blood flow through the endometrium was visualized by using incident-light fluorescence microscopy and a video image recorded for later detailed analysis. The subepithelial microvascular density was calculated for each day of the oestrous cycle and at 7 days after ovariectomy. The results showed that the microvasculature was significantly more dense at dioestrus I, pro-oestrus, and after ovariectomy than at oestrus, with dioestrus II being in between. Mean capillary path lengths running from arteriole to venule were longest at pro-oestrus, followed by oestrus, dioestrus II, dioestrus I, and shortest after ovariectomy. The results suggest that endometrial growth and regression precede microvascular growth and regression. The technique of in-vivo microscopy provides an important new avenue for investigating the role of local factors in the control of the endometrial microcirculation. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|