MAST CELLS AND EOSINOPHIL GRANULOCYTES IN THE OESTROGEN-STIMULATED MOUSE UTERUS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The numbers of mast cells and of eosinophil granulocytes in the mouse uterus have been counted under various conditions. The mast cells increased in number during pregnancy and the elevated level persisted for at least three months. They also increased, though less, during the aging of the virgin animal. In unilateral pregnancy, mast cells of the non-pregnant side increased in number as compared to a virgin uterus. In four-parous, spayed mice 17β-oestradiol brought about no change in the number of granulated or degranulated mast cells. Eosinophil granulocytes began to increase in number only when the uterus had become fully oedematous. It is concluded that the eosinophilotaxy of the uterus is brought about by the oestrogen although not via a degranulation of the uterine mast cells.