Ionic Studies of Decidual Tissue Growth in the Rat Uterus

Abstract

The sequence of water and electrolyte events was followed during development of deciduoma in rats. Minutes after scratching the endometrium, Na and Cl increased and K decreased, probably due to the influx of blood. These changes were followed by a water imbibition at 24 and 48 hours and an increase in K. Damaged horns increased in weight and width during this period. Water and electrolyte alterations were similar in ovariectomized rats. ovariectomized rats given progesterone, and intact rats during the first 48 hours, suggesting that these initial effects were due to the inflammation resulting from the injury inflicted. During the next 48 hours injured uterine horns of ovariectomized rats regressed and composition approached that of uninjured tissue. In contrast, composition of injured horns of progesterone rats or rats with intact ovaries was markedly different from uninjured tissue. Decidual tissue H2O, K, Na and Cl were significantly higher than in undeveloped uterine horns. Ionic composition characteristic of decidual growth was remarkably similar to the ionic pattern exhibited during the inflammatory state.

The effect of an intrauterine thread on tissue changes in the endometrium of the pseudopregnant rat

“…The only investigations in which tissue from the endometrium and myometrium have been separated from each other are those of Wrenn et al (1962), Scott & Lisi (1960) and Brown-Grant (1966). The former authors investigated the endometrium only after the decidual transformation had already taken place.…”