Electron microscope study of the microgranules in human vaginal epithelium

Abstract

Microgranules have been described with different names in keratinized and in nonkeratinized epithelium. In keratinized epithelium it seems clear that the microgranules are lamellated bodies bounded by a membrane which empty their contents into the intercellular space. Their existence in nonkeratinized epithelium is more debatable. Until now the so-called microgranules have been described in nonkeratinized bucal, lingual and cervical epithelium. In the present work we describe the morphology and nature of such structures in human vaginal epithelium.Biopsies from the midlevel of the vaginal mucosa were taken from voluntary fertile women. The specimens were divided into three groups with four vaginal specimens. The first group was obtained in the folicular phase; those of the second in the postovulatory phase and, finally, the last group corresponded to the secretory phase.