A microprobe study of element distribution in vaginal epithelial cells of the rat

Microprobe analysis of vaginal epithelial cells shed during the estrous cycle of the rat was done to determine cellular elements present in successive stages: pro-estrus, estrus, and post-estrus. Smears of vaginal contents were placed on carbon planchettes, fixed by freeze-drying, and examined in a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell biology international 2003-04, Vol.27 (4), p.355-359
Main Authors: Catchpole, Hubert R, Engel, Milton B, Jordan, Steven L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Element distribution
Epithelial Cells - physiology
Epithelial Cells - ultrastructure
Estrous cycle
Estrus - physiology
Female
Keratinization
Microprobe analysis
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning - methods
Rat vaginal epithelial cells
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Vagina - physiology
Vagina - ultrastructure
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Summary:Microprobe analysis of vaginal epithelial cells shed during the estrous cycle of the rat was done to determine cellular elements present in successive stages: pro-estrus, estrus, and post-estrus. Smears of vaginal contents were placed on carbon planchettes, fixed by freeze-drying, and examined in a scanning microscope with an energy dispersive spectrometer. Concentrations of Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, and Ca were calculated (mmol/kg dry weight) and analyzed statistically. For phosphorus a significant fall at estrus correlates with a loss of nuclear and cytoplasmic nucleic acids and nucleoproteins. An increase in sulfur at estrus is consistent with an accumulation of keratins over pro-estrus and a greater increase over the post-estrus epithelial cells. The epithelial cells of pro-estrus are highest in Mg and Ca. By post-estrus, the cells have recovered their Mg, not Ca. Potassium concentrations exhibited no significant change between the successive stages.
ISSN:1065-6995
1095-8355
DOI:10.1016/S1065-6995(02)00354-2