Histochemical demonstration of lysosomal hydrolase activity in endometrial mononuclear cells

Endometrial lysosomal enzyme activity in normal cycling endometrium

“…In contrast, Cornillie et al (1991), using a comparable technique to the current study, found a 40% drop in enzyme activity from the proliferative to the secretory phase. Although the finding from Rosado et al (1977) was in agreement with other morphological studies (Garcia-Bunuel and Brandes, 1966; Baron and Esterly, 1975;Ferenczy, 1976), the results were expressed in terms of wet tissue weight, a parameter which did not accurately reflect cellular activity. This study also employed the process of centrifugation and separation of cell fractions making it difficult to interpret results.…”

“…Histological and ultrastructural studies have demonstrated increased lysosomal activity in late secretory phase compared with the proliferative phase (Garcia-Bunuel and Brandes, 1966; Baron and Esterly, 1975;Ferenczy, 1976). In these studies, lysosomal activity was demonstrated by increased numbers of lysosomes as well as increased morphological changes in these particles, in the form of increased autophagic, heterophagic vacuoles or secretory vesicles (Ferenczy, 1976).…”

“…This study found no evidence of a progressive accumulation of lysosomal enzymes from the normal proliferative to secretory phase even with adequate numbers of samples in the midpart of each phase. This study was not designed to rule out the possibility that enzymes contained in endometrial lysosomes may be released in the very late secretory phase to facilitate tissue shedding, menstruation and remodelling (Garcia-Bunuel and Brandes, 1966;Fraser, 1989;Henzl et al, 1972;Baron and Esterly, 1975;Ferenczy, 1976). However, it would appear that total lysosomal enzyme concentration remains relatively constant in relation to day to day activity in the endometrium.…”

Granulocytes in the endometrium of post-partum women

“…Padykula & Campbell (1976) have shown that raising oestrogen levels increases the number of macrophages in the rat endometrium and that these macrophages are involved in the cycUc stromal renewal of the uterus, by means of their phagolysosomal system and lysosomal enzymes. An hormone-dependent acid phosphatase content has been reported by Baron & Esterly (1975) in human endometrial mononuclear ceUs. The ceUs were described as having an appearance simUar to lymphocytes, monocytes and histiocytes; but unfortunately, the magnifi¬ cation of the micrographs is too low to determine whether the ceUs are endometrial granulocytes.…”

Cyclic variation of the cellular components in human uterine fluid

“…According to experimental data, both their number and phagocytic activity are increased by oestrogenic stimuli, and this effect is reportedly not inhibited by progesterone (VernonRoberts, 1969). These cells also increase in the endometrial stroma premenstrually (Baron & Esterly, 1975), and in the uterine discharge postmenstrually (Papanicolaou, 1953). Eosinophilic granulocytes have been reported to appear in the uterus following very low doses of oestrogen (Bjersing & Borglin, 1964;Tchernitchin, Tchernitchin & Galand, 1976).…”