Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol s2-82, 541-562, Copyright © 1941 by Company of Biologists

Memoirs: Cytology of Human Uterine Glands in Gravid and Mon-Gravid Phases

¹ Zoology Department, Trinity College, Dublin

1. After menstruation the basalis regions of the uterine glands alone persist. The columnar cells evacuate most of their granular contents, and the Golgi apparatus loosens out and breaks up. Text-fig. 3 A.)

2. The postmenstrual cells are cubical limpid cells, with a Golgi apparatus consisting of a few granules arranged in a line. Text-fig. 3 B.)

3. In the proliferative phase the Golgi apparatus re-forms and grows into a characteristic net. The cells become columnar. No marked aggregation of granules has as yet occurred.

4. In the progravid phase, the cells become cubical, the Golgi apparatus spreads, and a marked aggregation of fat and glycogen appears at the inner pole of each cell. (Text-fig. 3 C.)

5. Should pregnancy supervene, the cells secrete numerous ovoid (proteid) granules at their outer poles (Text-fig. 3 D). These granules are topographically related to the outer edge of the Golgi apparatus.

6. The presence of the granules in any specimen of curetting reveals that it has been recovered from a case of interrupted pregnancy. Exceptions to this might be those which are known to hold for the Ascheim-Zondek pregnancy test.

7. The uterine glands contain only one type of secretory cell which may be ciliated or non-ciliated.