1984 Volume 23 Issue 1 Pages 33-39
Intravaginally aspirated smear patterns and tissues of pregnant rats were prepared and a comparative examination was made with the patterns at each phase of normal cycle.
On day 1 of gestation a pattern close to the so-called estrus appeared, i.e. numerous spermatozoa and anuclear superficial cells accounted for the majority, and from the afternoon the horny layer exfoliated, causing a gradual increase of leukocytes. On day 2 a pattern resembling the so-called diestrus was observed. However, after days 4-5 occurred cylinder formation of cells and mucification in the upper layer facing the vaginal cavity as well as proliferation of the vaginal epithelium, showing a pattern completely different from diestrus in general. At the end of gestation the mucification reached a peak and its width showed 7-10 layers, also revealing a great mass of cylindrical myxocytes.
As it is said in general that the smear pattern of rat at the initial period of gestation resembles the so-called diestrus, there are considerable differences in a strict sense, and particularly the mucification seems to be the most important point.
However, even in the normal cycle group, myxocytes appeared during the late diestrus and no big difference was observed in quality between the two groups.
Although it is estimated that the onset of mucification is attributable to an action of progesterone based on estrogen, it is also developed by adrenal androgen. Moreover there is a report insisting the involvement of pituitary system hormone, and its mechanism has not yet been elucidated.
In the present study a method of fixing before smearing was tried and numerous well preserved cells were collected, suggesting clinical applications.
