Junctional Complexes of the Hamster Vagina, Under Normal and Experimental Conditions

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the different junctional complexes of the stratified epithelium of the hamster vagina at late metestrus has been studied both under normal conditions and after perfusion with EDTA. Four types of junctions are described through which the vaginal cells adhere both to each other and to the basement membrane. These junctions are: the typical desmosome; the tight junction; the adhering band, and the basal junction. After the calcium depletion due to EDTA, the desmosomes open up and there is a disappearance of the central laminar density. This causes the extension of the intercellular spaces. The other junctions, with the exception of the adhering bands in the vicinity of the desmosomes, appear to be resistent to EDTA. These EDTA‐induced changes are similar to those produced by leucocyte invasion of the vaginal epithelium in metestrus.

Subcellular Distribution of Some Inorganic Cations in the Vaginal Epithelium of the Rat

“…Moscona (1961) pointed out that maintenance of the junctions depends on high calcium concentrations. Vargas Linares & Burgos (1965) alsostudied the vaginal epithelium after perfusion with EDTA. Following such treatment, the desmo¬ somes showed loss of density and definition, expansion of the intercellular space and splitting with evident separation of the cells.…”

“…Electron microscope studies of vaginal epithelial cell junctions were carried out in a number of species: guinea-pig (Burgos & Wislocki, 1958), hamster (Vargas Linares & Burgos, 1965) and human (Burgos & Vargas Linares, 1970). Moscona (1961) pointed out that maintenance of the junctions depends on high calcium concentrations.…”

Electron Microscopy of Human Vaginal Epithelium Under Normal and Experimental Conditions

“…Several types of cell junctions were also recognized between the vaginal epithelial cells of a number of species: guinea-pig (Burgos & Wislocki, 1958), hamster (Vargas Linares & Burgos, 1965; Vargas Linares, 1968), rat (Schuchner, Paczy & Asch, 1972) …”