The presence of immunocompetetive cells in the endometrium during the proliferative and secretory phase of the ovarian cycle is demonstrated on the light and electron microscopic level using monoclonal antibodies (MoAb). Subtypes of monocytes, macrophages and T-lymphocytes appear during the different phases in variable extent and different localization. Some subpopulations of the monocyte/macrophage system and T-helper lymphocytes increase in number on day 21/22. Our observations indicate that cells with bone marrow origin take part in functional events of the endometrium during the ovarian cycle.

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The histopathological examination of several sections of tubal ectopic pregnancies shows that the growth of the trophoblast usually takes place in an extraluminal subperitoneal site and dilation of the tube is caused by coagulated blood and not by the trophoblast. For conservative surgery of the tube it is necessary to keep in mind the histopathological findings of tubal pregnancies.

In the present study the immunohistology of the cellular stromal reaction of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is investigated. Tumor tissue from 10 patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (stages Ib-IIb, according to FIGO) was immunostained by the alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) method. The monoclonal antibodies OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, TO15, Ki-M1, and Ki-M6 were applied. The cells in the stroma and the tumor foci were evaluated separately. In all cases, the overwhelming majority of lymphoreticular cells were found in the stroma and the tumor-cell complexes contained relatively low numbers of these cells. While B-lymphocytes were present only in low numbers or were virtually absent from the lymphoreticular infiltrates, cells of the mononuclear-phagocyte system were found to be another prominent constituent of the tumor's cellular stromal reaction.

Using transmission electron microscopy we examined the morphology of the surface epithelium of the isolated and perfused rabbit ovary after an ovulatory dose of HCG. Rupture of follicles occurred in vitro approximately 13 h after HCG-injection and 6 h after the start of perfusion. The ultrastructural changes during the perfusion were similar to those occurring in vivo. The perfused ovarian epithelium had villous processes of varied architectural complexity with squamoid and cuboid epithelial cells. The superficial cells contained pinocytotic vesicles, coated and noncoated endocytotic caveolae, and occasional vacuoles. Dense bodies were more commonly found in vitro than in vivo. Occasionally structures similar to "Call-Exner-bodies" were found on the surface epithelium near to preovulatory follicles. Intercellular spaces of various sizes were also numerous. Disappearance of surface epithelium in the apex of follicles was often observed and the matrix of the tunica albuginea consisted of dissociated fibers and degenerating cells. This study showed that the isolated perfused rabbit ovary can serve as a model for studying the biology and pathology of ovarian surface epithelium.