Co-culture of Mouse Two-cell Embryos on Human Endometrial Stromal Cells in Proliferative and Secretory Phases / Co-cultivo de Dos Células Embrionarias de Ratón sobre Células Estromales Endometriales Humanos en Fases Proliferativa y Secretora

There were no significant differences in the distribution of embryos reaching to 2- cells, 4- cells, morula or blastocysts culturing on human endometrial stromal cells (Secretory or proliferative phases). The percent of morula in stage A (without fragmentation), stage B (<25% fragmentation), stage C (25-50% fragmentation) and stage D (>50% fragmentation) and did not showed significant differences between two coculture groups. Thus, the phase that the endometrial stromal cells were in thereby did not affect on the quality of embryos.

No hubo diferencias significativas en la distribución de los embriones en los cultivos que llegan a las 2 y 4 células, mórula o blastocistos sobre las células del estroma endometrial (fases proliferativa y secretora). El porcentaje de mórulas en etapa A (sin fragmentación), etapa B (<25% fragmentación), etapa C (25-50% de fragmentación) y etapa D (>50% fragmentación), y no mostraron diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos de co-cultivo. Así, la fase en la que se encontraban las células estromales endometriales no afectaron la calidad de los embriones.

Effects of mifepristone on ultrastructure of human endometrium in the early secretory phase / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the influence of mifepristone on ultrastucture of human endometrium in the early secretory phase. METHODS: Endometrial tissue was obstained from 10 patients of reproductive age, who underwent a hysterectomy within 1 week postovulatory for gynecologic diseases not involving the endometrium. Patients were divided into mifepristone group ( n =5) and control group ( n =5) randomly. Each patient in the mifepristone group had taken 25 mg mifepristone per os 24 h before the operation was performed, while none of the control group had taken mifepristone. After removal of uterus, endometrial tissue was immediately acquired and prepared for electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, the endometrial tissue in mifepristone group displayed the following distinctly morphological changes: (1) In the endometrial epithelium neither nucleolar channel system nor giant mitochondrium was seen, and subnuclear glycogen accumulation was seldom observed, but giant lysosomes were frequently found. (2) The intercellular spaces of the epithelium were narrow and straight, the indigitations of lateral plasma membranes were rarely visible. (3) Cytolysis and karyopyknosis of stroma cells and extravasal red cells were repeatedly observed. CONCLUSION: The above mentioned morphological changes in endometrium in the early secretory phase caused by mifepristone are undoubtedly sufficient to prevent implantation. Consequently, mifepristone may have a contraception effect.