Histological and histochemical modifications of the uterine and vaginal mucosa of the mouse during the oestrus cycle

Abstract

The Authors have studied by histological and histochemical methods the morphological modifications of the uterine and vaginal mucosa which take place during the oestrus cycle in the mouse. The data has underlined numerous previously undescribed differences in the behaviour of the uterine and vaginal mucosa. The keratinization of the uterine epithelium is noticeably delayed in comparison with that of the vagina. The latter is already completely cornified in late oestrus, while this occurs in the uterine mucosa only in full oestrus. In contrast, the exfoliation of the cornified layers takes place in the uterus before the vagina. Analogous differences are observed in two organs for mitotic behaviour: the vaginal mucosa shows a mitotic peak during late dioestrus, while in the uterus the peak occurs only during full oestrus.