Histochemical observations were made on the activities of adenosinetriphosphatase, alkaline and acid phosphatase, and on RNA, glycogen and lipids as well as connective tissue elements in uteri of pseudopregnant rats during the period of formation of deciduomata, i. e. between 36 to 96 hours after the administration of the inducing stimulus. Enzymic activity accompanied the formation of deciduomata, stopped at the limits of the decidual cell reaction and did not involve the rest of the endometrium. A distinct line of demarcation between the two tissues (deciduoma and basal endometrium) was demonstrated both histologically and histochemically. This demarcation is independent of the manner of stimulation or the extent of the decidual cell reaction.
Histological and histochemical studies on the activities of adenosinetriphosphatase and acid and alkaline phosphatases as well as connective tissue components show that the uterus of the adult rat as a whole responds to the cyclic ovarian activity. There are cyclic variations in the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases and adenosinetriphosphatase. Major changes occur in the connective and epithelial structures in the endometrium while the muscular coats show adaptive alterations. During pseudopregnancy an increase in uterine activity is observed on day 4 of pseudopregnancy (L4); this is related to the surge of oestrogen occurring from the ovary on day 3 (L3).
When pregnant rats are given a single subcutaneous injection of ergocornine methanesulphonate on the 4th day of gestation, physiological indications of changes in the ovary are manifold.Activities of a number of histochemically demonstrable enzymes were investigated in the ovaries of ergot-treated pregnant rats. The enzymes included \g=D\5-3\g=b\-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase, succinic dehydrogenase, alkaline and acid phosphatase and adenosine-triphosphatase.The ovaries were examined at 2-, 4-, 8-and 24-hr intervals after administration of the drug. Macroscopic and microscopic vascular dilatation and engorgement were seen in the ovaries at 2, 4 and 8 hr and had decreased by 24 hr. Activities of \g=D\5-3\g=b\-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase were histochemically demonstrable in the corpora lutea of gestation as well as other sites in the ovary at 2, 4 and 8 hr after ergocornine. At 24 hr, portions of the corpora lutea of gestation showed necrosis and dissolution of cells and many healthy vesicular follicles had developed. These changes in the ovary (luteolysis in the corpora lutea of gestation and development of follicles to the ovulation stage) form the basis for the physiological effects\p=m-\interruption of gestation and appearance of oestrus\p=m-\whichoccur 2 to 3 days after administration of ergocornine to pregnant rats during progestation.
Histochemical observations on the activities of adenosinetriphosphatase, alkaline and phosphatases and on RNA, glycogen and lipids were made on uteri of pseudopregnant rats following induction of decidualization by both physiological and traumatic means. Following both types of stimulation, the decidual cell reaction commenced in foci characterized by high levels of adenosinetriphosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Accumulations of RNA also occurred early in foci of decidualization. The pronounced enzymic changes taking place in the uterus shortly after the application of the inducing stimulus, are proposed as early criteria for successful induction of decidualization, particularly in the case of »physiological induction«.
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