The effect of a single dose of mifepristone (RU486) on the fine structure of the human endometrium during the early luteal phase.

This study examined the fine structure of the human endometrial glandular epithelium after the administration of a single dose of RU486 (mifepristone), given in the early luteal phase. The drug was administered on days 2, 3, 5 and 6 after the luteinizing hormone peak (LH + 0). Biopsies were performed on days LH + 5, 6, 8 and 9. These were compared with control biopsies taken on corresponding days. Qualitatively, the main cytological effect of the RU486 was on the secretory apparatus and on the polarity of the cell. The formation of the nuclear channel system was also affected by the drug. A two-way analysis of variance on cell and nuclear volume data revealed no significant effect of day of biopsy, condition or interaction. Mitochondrial volume and secretory apparatus volume data revealed a significant effect of day of biopsy and interaction term; mitochondrial volume at LH + 5 was 95.9 +/- 25.3 microm3 (mean +/- SD) for control and 57.7 +/- 31.9 microm3 for RU486-treated epithelium. The volume of the secretory apparatus in the treated group was smaller on days LH + 5 and 6 (14.6 +/- 4.2 microm3, 6.41 +/- microm3) when compared to day-matched control biopsies (35.9 +/- 10.5 microm3, 41.7 +/- 26.4 microm3). RU486 administration in the early luteal phase disrupted the secretory activity of the cells. These findings provide an insight into the cellular mechanisms of progesterone receptor blockade in the peri-implantation period.

[Free carbohydrate content of the cortex and nucleus of bovine lenses as a function of ageing (author's transl)]. / Der Gehalt an freien Kohlenhydraten in Rinde und Kern von Rinderlinsen in Abhängigkeit vom Alter.

The determination of the products of the sorbitol pathway and of inositol in the equator and nucleus of bovine lenses of different ages, performed by gas-chromatographic analyses, is described. Independent of age, the proportion of glucose, sorbitol, and fructose is higher in the equatorial part than in the nucleus. The proportion of inositol is about 3 mg/1 g lens fresh weight in the equator, and about 2 mg/1 g lens fresh weight in the nucleus, and seems to decrease slightly with ageing.

Chemical composition of the aqueous humor of bovine eyes dependent on predetermined time upon removal.

The content of several carbohydrates [glucose (alpha and beta), inositol, fructose, galactose] and aminoacids in the aqueous of bovine lenses was measured in dependence on time after globe puncture, using the method of gas liquid chromatography (carbohydrates) and ion exchange chromatography (amino acids). The contents of the investigated compounds show distinct postmortal changes. Aqueous humor which had been obtained immediately after enucleation of the bovine eyes and kept at 37 degrees C for different periods of time (1-8 h) showed for the carbohydrates investigated a decrease in fructose concentration, whereas almost all amino acid concentrations were increased, with the exception of leucine, tyrosine, and arginine, which were decreased.