Human Endometrium Ultrastructure During the Implantation Window: A New Perspective of the Epithelium Cell Types

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Carla Bartosch (Author) Other; Jose Manuel Lopes (Author) FMUP; Jorge Beires (Author) Other; Mario Sousa (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Reproductive Sciences

Vol. 18

Pages: 525-539

ISSN: 1933-7191

Publisher: SAGE

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 23 Citations

Scopus - 26 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-R2W

DOI: 10.1177/1933719110392055

Abstract (EN): The human endometrium is a hormonally regulated tissue that cyclically growths and differentiates in order to become a structure adequate for implantation. Molecular studies have shown some contradicting results and thus a reappraisal of the endometrium ultrastructure is warranted. In our study, endometrium biopsies were taken during the implantation window of 10 healthy women of reproductive age and analyzed using electron microscopy. Our results showed that during implantation window, the endometrial epithelium encompassed 4 cell types: microvilli-rich cells, pinopode cells, vesiculated cells, and ciliated cells. These cells showed signs of active communication with their external environment and neighboring cells, such as endocytosis, transcytosis and exocytosis. We highlighted important differences between surface and glandular epitheliums and characterized apocrine and holocrine secretion. It is likely that the features described reflect distinct functions in endometrium physiology that should be taken into account in the evaluation of the endometrium during the implantation window.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 15