Cell kinetics of early gestation mouse uterus.

Abstract

After pulse labelling with [3H]thymidine, the labelling indices of luminal epithelial, glandular epithelial, vascular endothelial and stromal cells of the mouse uterus were determined from day 0 to 4 of gestation. First changes in the cell kinetics of endometrial cells after conception was a high proliferation rate in luminal and glandular epithelial cells on days 1 and 2 of gestation. On day 3, these cell types ceased proliferation. Simultaneously, increased proliferation activity of vascular endothelial cells was observed. The cell kinetics at the time of implantation (day 4 of gestation) were characterized by high proliferation rates of stromal and vascular endothelial cells. Proliferation activities of luminal and glandular epithelial cells were not seen at this stage.